Zhang Shuai lives up to top-seed billing to reach Hana-Cupid Japan last four

Top seed Zhang Shuai overcame injury and weather delays to reach the Hana-Cupid Japan semi-finals with victory over defending champion Zarina Diyas.

The 29-year-old was carrying a leg injury but it did not prevent Zhang securing a 6-4, 7-5 win to advance to the last four.

American qualifier Amanda Anisimova will face Zhang for a place in the final after 17-year-old secured her maiden WTA semi-final appearance at the expense of Anna Schmiedlova.

A near-three hour rain delay was not enough to knock Anisimova off her stride as she eased to a 6-3, 6-1 win.

Number four seed Wang Qiang assured herself of a spot in the other semi-final as she recovered from a slow start to see off Madga Linette of Poland.

Linette took the first two games before Wang hit back by taking the next eight on her way to a 6-2 6-2 success.

The final quarter-final of the competition will be completed on Saturday after Ajla Tomljanovic’s meeting with Hsieh Su-Wei was postponed with less than three minutes played.

A heavy downpour caused the match to be halted inside the first game with the Taiwanese player leading 30-15 on her serve.