MIAMI, FL, USA - The all-Chinese clash at the Miami Open on Monday went the way of the nation's top player Wang Qiang.

The No.18 seed downed unseeded Wang Yafan in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, to reach the last eight at the Miami Open for the first time.

The World No.18 advances to the quarterfinals at a Premier Mandatory event for the second time in her career, having reached the final four on home soil at the China Open last fall.

Wang Qiang continued her mastery of her compatriot with the victory, sealing a sixth win in seven career matches against Wang Yafan, and broke her 24-year-old compatriot twice in each set to earn victory.


The beneficiary of a walkover from Serena Williams in the previous round, Wang Qiang showed no signs of rust despite not having stepped on court in the third round.

Despite being the first of the two players to lose serve in the opening set, the 27-year-old World No.18 hit back immediately in the eighth game.

She later saved a break point which would have seen her younger compatriot serve for the set the next time she stepped to the line, and pocketed a one-set lead after saving a game point on Wang Yafan's serve which would have forced a tiebreak.

The second set unfolded in similar fashion, with Acapulco champion Wang Yafan breaking first - this time in the first game.

However, just as she did in the opening, Wang Qiang broke straight back, and scored the match's decisive break from a 40-15 deficit in the 10th game. 

More to come...