China landed the first punch with authority. Zhang Shuai overwhelmed Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-0, 6-2, needing only about an hour to put the hosts one victory from eliminating the two-time defending champions. Cocciaretto appeared hampered physically, but Zhang gave her little room to recover anyway, turning what had been a potentially tricky opening rubber into a rout.
That left Jasmine Paolini staring at Zheng Qinwen, the reigning Olympic singles champion, with Italy’s title defense depending on her. Paolini responded with one of her best performances of the season, beating Zheng 6-3, 7-6(4) for her first win in five career meetings. The familiar Paolini energy was there throughout, but so was the composure when the second set tightened. The victory forced the quarterfinal into a deciding doubles match.
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