World number one, Simona Halep defeated Ashleigh Barty 7-5 6-4 to secure her seventh consecutive win and reach the quarter-finals in Cincinnati.
The Romanian recovered from a break down in the first set as Barty started off the match quickly, catching her higher ranked opponent off guard. The world number one eased to holds of serve after getting back on serve as she protected her forehand angles perfectly. The Australian was looking to avoid the same outcome of their Montreal match last week as she effectively dictated points from the back of the court on her serve.
However the top seed proved too much and broke in the eleventh game much to her relief as her forehand once again paid dividends. The Montreal champion wrapped up the opening set in 46 minutes to gain a one set lead on Barty. The second set was similar as Barty gained an early break of serve with the Australian temporarily snatching the momentum back.
However the world number 16 was up against one of the best returners in the game and lost her serve twice in a row to hand the advantage back to Halep. The Roland Garros champion had to fend off a late surge from Barty but eventually sealed her place in the quarter-finals with her first match point.
A seventh consecutive win for Halep and a second victory over Barty proves that she is in her best form of her career as she believes in her ability to beat anyone. The Romanian will now face Lesia Tsurenko in the last eight later today.
In the rest of the third results on Thursday, Elina Svitolina proved too much for 16 year old Amanda Anisimova as she sealed a 6-4 6-4 victory over the American. The Ukrainian broke at the end of each set to seal her place in the quarter-finals. She will now play Kiki Bertens, who secured 6-3 2-6 6-3 victory over Anett Kontaveit serving down eight aces. It is now back to back quarter-finals for Bertens after a strong showing in Montreal.
Here is the full quarter-final line-up, with play beginning later on Thursday:
Simona Halep v Lesia Tsurenko
Madison Keys v Aryna Sabalenka
Petra Kvitova v Elise Mertens
Elina Svitolina v Kiki Bertens
