Birmingham Classic: Frech beats Cirstea in three tight sets to advance to quarter-finals

Pole qualifier Magdalena Frech edged out Romanian Sorana Cirstea, the No 8 seed, 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-4 to reach the last eight of the Birmingham Classic at Edgbaston Priory Club on Thursday.

Frech, ranked No 72, will play the winner of the match between American wildcard Venus Williams and Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, the second seed, next.

The Pole beat Czech Barbora Strycova (7-6 (3), 6-1) in the previous round of the Birmingham tournament.

In the previous round of the Birmingham tournament, Cirstea, ranked No 38, won against qualifier Ana Bogdan (6-4, 2-6, 6-3).

Birmingham WTA 250, other last 16 results (Edgbaston Priory Club, grass, USD 259.303, most recent results first):

• Catherine McNally vs. Anastasia Potapova
• Venus Williams vs. Jelena Ostapenko
• Barbora Krejcikova vs. Tereza Martincova
• Rebecca Marino (LL) beat Emina Bektas (Q): 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (1)
• Harriet Dart (WC) beat Anhelina Kalinina (5): 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
• Lin Zhu beat Magda Linette (3): 6-3, 6-0
• Linda Fruhvirtova beat Bernarda Pera (6): 6-1, 7-6 (3)