Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, the current number three in the WTA ranking cruised past 17-year old Russian player Natalia Vikhlyantseva (no. 584 WTA) and will play in the quarter finals of the Shenzhen Open.

Halep, who’s the main favourite of the tournament, beat Vikhlyantseva in straight sets, ended 6-2, 6-2. Her strongest opponent in this competition is Czech player Petra Kvitova, number four in the WTA ranking, who also made it to the quarter finals.

Halep could play against Kvitova in the final, on January 10, should they both qualify.

The winner of the Shenzhen Open will get a check for USD 111,000 and 280 WTA points. Halep already has 60 WTA points for reaching the quarter finals.

editor@romania-insider.com