Third seed Kaia Kanepi has been knocked out of the Mexican Open quarter-finals following a 6-1 2-6 6-4 victory for Christina McHale.

McHale benefited from an impressive start to the match as she proceeded to dominate Kanepi with a fine service display at the beginning of the first set.

Kanepi failed to find the same fluency on her own serve and the Estonian eventually lost the first set after being broken three times.

One of the pre-tournament favourites hit back in the next set and applied regular pressure on her American opponent to claim two breaks on her way to a 6-2 win to level the match.

Nerves were clear to see in the deciding set as both players struggled for consistency, with the length of rallies being shortened as a result.

However, McHale earned her second break of the final set to secure the victory and book her spot in the final four.