Kvitova beats Strycova to advance at Elite Trophy tournament

ZHUHAI, China (AP) Top-seeded Johanna Konta advanced to the semifinals of the Elite Trophy by beating Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-2 on Friday.

Konta converted four of five break points to eliminate Garcia and set up a semifinal match against Elina Svitolina.

''I really felt I played a very consistent match,'' Konta said. ''I didn't give her many windows and I'm very happy I managed to do that today.''

Third-seeded Petra Kvitova also advanced, beating Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-4.

Kvitova hit seven aces and saved all six break points she faced to improve to 7-1 against her ninth-seeded opponent.

The tournament in Zhuhai features the 12 players on the tour who didn't qualify for the WTA Finals in Singapore last week. The players are divided into four pools of three, with the group winners qualifying for the knockout stage.