Zhang Shuai and Wang Yafan lost in straight sets, while top seed Belinda Bencic continued her climb to the world top 10.
Bencic, the Swiss No 1, defeated Wang Yafan 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 16 minutes, marking her sixth consecutive victory.
I felt good on the court. I tried to play aggressively, tried to play my game, and it worked out well.
Zhang Shuai was earlier defeated by Russia's Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-1. Bencic's win follows her recent victory at the Japan Open.
Author's summary: Bencic progresses in Hong Kong Tennis Open.