Harriet Dart downs Jule Niemeier to reach Guangzhou Open last 16, Jodie Burrage loses to Magda Linette

Britain’s Harriet Dart defeated Jule Niemeier 6-3 6-2 on Monday to reach the last 16 of the Guangzhou Open in China.

The 24-year-old German is ranked No. 91 in the world and was the favourite against Dart, with the 27-year-old, beaten in the doubles final of the Nottingham Open earlier in the summer, well out of the top 100 at the moment.

Dart nevertheless enjoyed a relatively straightforward match against her opponent, breaking her in both sets to cruise to a win.

The victory earns her another match where she will be the underdog, against seventh seed Greet Minnen from Belgium. Minnen defeated France’s Dianne Parry 6-2 6-2 in her tie.

One Briton who will not be in the next round is Jodie Burrage after she lost to Magda Linette.

The Pole is the No. 1 seed in China, but had to overcome the loss of the first set in a 6-7(3) 6-0 6-2 win.

The world No. 24, who cracked the top-20 in March this year, will take on the winner of the match between Australia’s Daria Saville and Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam.

Elsewhere in the round of 32, Spain’s Rebeka Masarova defeated Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl. Clara Tauson pulled off an upset win over No. 6 seed Linda Fruhvirtova, and Diana Shnaider beat No. 8 seed Claire Liu,

In Guadalajara, Mexico, Victoria Azarenka, Belinda Bencic and Sofia Kenin are just some of the big names in action later on Monday.