By Chris Oddo | Thursday November 1, 2018

Defending champion Julia Goerges rolled into the semifinals at the year-ending WTA Elite Zhuhai on Thursday with a 6-2, 7-6(5) victory over Belgium’s Elise Mertens.

Goerges needed to win in straights to ensure qualification and was two points from dropping the second set to the Belgian, who served for the second set and led 5-4, 30-15.

Ashleigh Barty picked up a 6-3, 6-4 win over Caroline Garcia to stay alive in the Orchid Group.

Anastasija Sevastova defeated wild card Zhang Shuai, 6-0, 7-6(10). The Latvian will face Garbiñe Muguruza on Friday for a chance to make it to the semis in the Camelia Group.

On tap for Friday in Zhuhai:

Orchid Group: Aryna Sabalenka v Caroline Garcia
Camelia Group: Anastasija Sevastova v Garbiñe Muguruza
Azalea Group: Madison Keys v Wang Qiang