Unseeded Taiwanese player Hsieh Su-wei sprung a huge surprise at the Dubai Tennis Championships as she beat former world number one and fifth seed Angelique Kerber ©Getty Images

Unseeded Taiwanese player Hsieh Su-wei sprung a huge surprise at the Dubai Tennis Championships as she beat former world number one and fifth seed Angelique Kerber to reach the quarter-finals.

The world number 31 produced a superb performance to dispatch the German, a three-time Grand Slam champion, 5-7, 6-4, 6-0 at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in this Women's Tennis Association Premier 5 tournament. 

Hsieh's next opponent is due to be fourth seed Karolína Plíšková of the Czech Republic, who defeated American Alison Riske 7-6, 7-6.

"The first two sets, we both try super hard, so it was very close," said Hsieh.  

"Final set, I did little bit more. 

"I feel more relaxed in the final set, so I gained the match pretty well."

Petra Kvitová of the Czech Republic also progressed to the last eight of the tournament in Dubai ©Getty Images
Petra Kvitová of the Czech Republic also progressed to the last eight of the tournament in Dubai ©Getty Images

The Czech Republic's Petra Kvitová continued her return to the circuit in style as she booked her place in the last eight with a battling three-set win over American qualifier Jennifer Brady.

Kvitová won the opener but dropped the second before she eventually sealed a 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 victory to set up a meeting with Viktória Kužmová of Slovakia.

Third seed Simona Halep of Romania is also through after she defeated Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine 6-3, 7-5.

Kristina Mladenovic of France, who conquered world number one Naomi Osaka in the previous round, was beaten 7-5, 7-5 by Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro.

The tournament is due to continue tomorrow with the quarter-final matches.