Australian Priscilla Hon has pushed Hsieh Su-Wei to the brink in their Japan Women’s Open round of 16 encounter but ultimately it was the defending champion that prevailed.
World No.123 Hon appeared set for a huge WTA upset when she led by a set and a break before top seed Hsieh fought back to close out a 1-6 7-6 (2) 7-5 comeback victory.
Hon, 21, broke serve twice in the deciding set and served for the match at 5-3, only to drop the next four games as Hsieh won through on Wednesday in two hours and 10 minutes.
The Taiwanese player will next face Japan’s Nao Hibino, who progressed after her opponent Zarina Diyas retired injured while trailing 6-1 3-2.
Australian qualifier Hives will face local hope Misaki Doi on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Australian No.2 Ajla Tomljanovic will play world No.7 Kiki Bertens on for a place in the last eight of the Zhengzhou Open while Samantha Stosur will also be in round of 16 action on Thursday evening, against Nina Stojanovic at the Jiangxi Open.
In Zhengzhou on Wednesday, French No.2 Kristina Mladenovic defeated eighth seed Caroline Garcia 7-5 6-2 – her second win over her higher-ranked countrywoman this year.
Two more French players went out as Croatian Petra Martic came from a set down to beat Fiona Ferro 3-6 6-1 6-2 and Sofia Kenin saw off Alize Cornet 6-4 6-2.
Top seed Karolina Pliskova was on the verge of losing the second set against Slovenia’s Polona Hercog in the day’s last match before the rain returned, leading to play being suspended with the score at 6-3 2-5.