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Svitolina too good for Sanders in Thailand

3 minute read

Australian qualifier Storm Sanders has been knocked out of the Thailand Open by top seed and world No.4 Elina Svitolina.

STORM SANDERS of Australia plays a forehand in her match at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.
STORM SANDERS of Australia plays a forehand in her match at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Australian qualifier Storm Sanders' run at the Thailand Open has ended after she was knocked out in straight sets by top seed Elina Svitolina.

Sanders put up a spirited challenge from the outset but the world No.4 secured a 6-1 6-2 victory to book her place in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

"I was playing well today and I'm very happy with the way I was playing in the beginning because she's very tough," said Svitolina, who set up a last-eight clash against eighth-seeded Nao Hibino.

"I had to step up my game and I think it was the key to the match."

World No.319 Sanders' fine recent run of form saw her beat Brit Heather Watson in Brisbane qualifying last month, but she was facing a top-10 player for the first time in her career in Thailand.

And the 25-year-old Queenslander found Svitolina just too hot to handle, losing the match in 57 minutes as the Ukrainian reached her first quarterfinal of the season.

Chinese 18-year-old Wang Xiyu continued her successful week in Hua Hin by reaching her first WTA quarterfinal with a 6-3 6-4 win over Austria's Barbara Haas. She now faces Poland's Magda Linette who defeated Peng Shuai 7-5 6-1.

Romania's Patricia Maria Tig beat Xiaodi You 6-1 6-3 to secure a last-eight clash with another Chinese opponent, Zheng Saisai.

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