Defending champion Christina McHale has advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA's Japan Open with a win over third-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium.
The unseeded McHale was too good for the Belgian in a 6-4 6-1 romp on Friday.
"I felt like once I won that first set, I relaxed a little more in the second," McHale said.
"I served better in the second set so was able to hold serve more."
Next for the American is a clash with qualifier Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan, who beat compatriot Yulia Putinseva 4-6 6-1 6-3.
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Miyu Kato of Japan beat Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia 6-1 6-3 to set up a final four meeting with fellow qualifier Jana Fett.
The Croatian beat Wang Qiang 6-3 4-6 6-3.
Fett's run in Tokyo included a first-round win over French top seed Kristina Mladenovic.
