ACAPULCO, Mexico - Canadian Bianca Andreescu advanced to the semifinals at the Mexican Open on Thursday.
The 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., defeated China's Saisai Zheng 7-6 (3), 6-1 to reach the tournament's final four.
Andreescu, ranked No. 71, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set only for 40th-ranked Zheng to take five of the next six games for a 5-4 advantage.
But the Canadian settled down to complete the first set, then cruised through the second.
She will face fifth-seeded Sofia Kenin of the United States in the semis. Kenin beat Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to move on.
Andreescu, Canada's top-ranked women's player, has risen up the standings at a remarkable pace early into this season.
She won the Oracle Challenger in California two weeks ago for her first career WTA title. She was No. 152 in late December.
