In Guangzhou, seeds Wang Qiang and Yulia Putintseva both came through their quarterfinal matches in straight sets, however the other two in action did not fare as well.

Wang eased past Fiona Ferro 6-4 6-0 to set up a last-four encounter with Andrea Petkovic, the German having seen off seventh seed Vera Lapko.

Aleksandra Krunic – the fourth seed – also bowed out as Bernarda Pera reached the first semi-final of her career, Pera coming from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 and set up a meeting with Putintseva.