Zhang through to last 16 in Cincinnati

China's Zhang Shuai advanced to the second round of the Western &Southern Open after knocking out Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-4 in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Wednesday.

This is the first time that Zhang, who stunned Naomi Osaka in the first round, has reached the last 16 in Cincinnati, with her live ranking rising to 39th.

"I am happy to win today's match because my opponent was very strong and it was tough every time I played against her in the past," said Zhang, who lost to Alexandrova at April's Stuttgart Open.