Barty powers past Kerber to reach last four in China

Ash leigh Bar ty toppled former world No 1 Angelique Kerber to reach the semi-final soft he WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

On her debut in the invitation- only event in China, Bar ty fired 35 winners beyond Germany’ s K erber in a confident 6- 3, 6- 4 triumph.

The Australian later told wtatennis.com: “I put myself in a good position in my service games to then be super- aggressive and nice and clear when returning so I can have a little bit more of a crack and see if I can get some of those early breaks in the sets.

“I felt like I served great today and put myself in the right position right from the get- go.”

Fifth seed An a st asija Se vast ova has managed to progress to the last four without dropping a set after having beaten Barbora Stry cova 6- 3, 6- 4 to top the Camellia Group.

The Latvian accounted for US Op enc hampi - on Sloane Stephens in her opening match and yest er day recovered from 2-0 down against Czech Strycova in the opening set to seal a second straight victory.

America’ s Co co Vandeweghe joined Barty and Sevastova in the semifinals by beating Russia’s Elena Vesnina 6 - 3, 6 - 2 in an hour and 18 minutes.

In France, Juan Martin del Potro moved closer to securing the last spot at the season- ending ATP Finals by beating Robin Haa se 7- 5, 6- 4 in the third round of the Paris Masters.

Del Potro is in tenth place in the race to qualify for the tournament. Only the top eight players will compete in London and there is one place left, to be taken in Paris. The Argentine now faces big-serving American John Isner.

Seventh- seeded David Goff in of Belgium is through to the final sin London, despite a surprise 6-3,6-3 loss to unseeded Julien Benneteau.

G off in qualified after Frenchman Lucas Pouille’s 7- 6( 6), 6- 3 loss to Jack Sock put him through at Pouille’s expense, making him the first Belgian to qualify for the season finale.