By Tennis Now | Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Dominika Cibulkova beat Sloane Stephens for the first time in three years, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, to charge into the Beijing quarterfinals for the first time in 10 years.
Photo credit: Dominika Cibulkova Facebook
Sharp timing and a biting forehand helped Dominika Cibulkova shatter streaks.
Cibulkova unleashed an eight-game run to subdue Sloane Stephens, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, and charge into the Beijing quarterfinals for the first time in a decade.
More: Goffin Pulls Plug on Season
Firing her forehand with accuracy and ambition, Cibulkova beat Stephens for the first time since the 2015 Toronto tournament.
The world No. 30 converted six of 10 break-points chances in a two-hour conquest that sends her into a quarterfinal clash with Anastasija Sevastova, who dispatched Donna Vekic, 6-3, 6-2.
Earlier, Caroline Wozniacki bounced Petra Martic, 7-5, 6-3.
The former world No. 1 slashed six aces and broke serve five times in a one hour, 47-minute victory that sends Wozniacki into the round of 16.
“I think everyone is trying to fight for Singapore,” Wozniacki said. “I’m just here to try and qualify, try to do my best, try and go as far in this tournament as I possibly can.”
The Australian Open champion will take on Anett Kontaveit next.
The Wuhan finalist fought off German Laura Siegemund, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Exuding more hunger and energy throughout, Cibulkova burst out of the blocks to a a 3-0 lead.
Kamau Murray, Stephens' coach, came out on court urging his player to "speed up your feet" and "give the ball some shape."
That advice got the ninth-seeded American going as Stephens won six of the next seven games.
Amping up her aggression, Cibulkova blocked a forehand volley into the corner then banged an ace down the T capping a firm hold in the seventh game.
A surging Stephens answered with a three-game run as she answered a love-three deficit winning six of the next seven games. Stephens' seven unforced errors were nine fewer than her opponent in the 39-minute opener.
One of the fastest women on the WTA Tour, Stephens can sometimes show complacent footwork, particular on balls deep down the middle.
Coach Murray advised his charge to focus on "fast feet, smooth stroke" as he tried to spark Stephens from a 2-3 second-set deficit.
The 5'3" Slovak beat Stephens to the punch in the next game. Rapping returns that stretched Stephens, Cibulkova hit a series of forehand strikes breaking for 4-2.
A defiant Cibulkova denied three break points sliding forward for a slick backhand volley and blasting a forehand down the line to close a challenging seventh game.
Cibulkova charged through an eight-game tear bullying the 2017 US Open champion around the court. Cibulkova broke for a 2-0 third-set lead.
A flat Stephens offered little resistance against Cibulkova ripping drives into the corners breaking again for 4-0.
Stephens finally stalled her slide breaking back in the fifth game.
The Cibulkova forehand was the key stroke in the match, but her backhand did damage as well. Battering a backhand off the back edge of the baseline, she held for 5-2.
Sustained aggression helped Cibulkova close. Rallying from 15-30 down, she served out the two-hour match when Stephens slapped a forehand return into the middle of the net.