*Bencic Battles Past Qualifier Zakharova to Reach China Open Third Round*
*BEIJING:* Ninth seed Belinda Bencic overcame a spirited second-set fightback from Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova to advance to the third round of the WTA China Open with a 6-1, 7-6(3) victory on Friday.
Playing on Lotus Court, the Swiss star dominated the opening set in just 28 minutes, breaking Zakharova twice. The second set proved far more competitive as World No. 110 Zakharova saved 12 of 17 break points and forced a tie-break, where Bencic’s experience showed.
Bencic, ranked 12th in the world, fired 4 aces and won 81 points overall, improving her head-to-head to 1-0 against Zakharova.
She will next face 21st seed Ann Li of the United States for a place in the last 16.
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