WASHINGTON, March 25 (Xinhua) -- No.18 seed Wang Qiang of China reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open for the first time in her career with a straight-set victory over compatriot Wang Yafan on Monday.
Wang Qiang needed one hour and 45 minutes to overcome Wang Yafan 7-5, 6-4 in the fourth round match.
Wang Qiang advances to the quarterfinals at a Premier Mandatory event for the second time in her career, having reached the final four on home soil at the China Open last fall.
Wang Qiang also continued her mastery of her compatriot with the victory, sealing a sixth win in seven career matches against Wang Yafan, and broke her 24-year-old compatriot twice in each set to earn victory.
The beneficiary of a walkover from Serena Williams in the previous round, Wang Qiang showed no signs of rust despite not having stepped on court in the third round.
Despite being the first of the two players to lose serve in the seventh game of the opening set, the 27-year-old world No.18 hit back immediately in the eighth game.
Wang Qiang then took another break in the final game to seal the first set.
The second set unfolded in similar fashion, with Wang Yafan breaking first, this time in the first game. However, just as she did in the opening set, Wang Qiang broke straight back, and scored the match's decisive break in the 10th game.
