Italian Veronica Zorzi fired a second round of four under par 68 in misty conditions at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club on Saturday to take a two stroke lead into the final round of the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open.

Only Zorzi, who ended the day at 11-under, stands between Carlota Ciganda’s attempts to secure her second Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open title at the course over which she triumphed by seven strokes 12 months ago.

However, it’s tight at the top with nine players within three shots of the lead. Ciganda (68) is joined by South African Ashleigh Simon (70) and France’s Anne-Lise Caudal (65) two shots back at nine under par.

Charley Hull (66), Gwladys Nocera (67), Na Zhang (67), Nontaya Srisawang (67) and Beth Allen (66) are tied for fifth place on eight under par. Last week’s Sanya Ladies Open winner Lee-Anne Pace will go into the final round five shots adrift.

Kristie Smith is the leading Australian heading into Sunday. Smith is at six-under and tied for 12th place. Bree Arthur and Sarah Kemp area further shot adrift and tied for 19th, with Rebecca Artis tied for 24th at four-under.

Stephanie Na’s great second round of 66 has seen her bolt up into a share of 30th position, with fellow Australians Lindsey Wright, Stacey Keating and Frances Bondad. They are all on three-under for the tournament.

Unfortunately Nikki Garrett couldn’t maintain her form from the opening round and had to settle for a four-over 76 and feel back from outright fourth into a tie for 41st at two-under.

The cut was made at one-over and 71 players will tee it up in final round of the Euro400,000 event. The only Australian that missed out was Ashlee Dewhurst who missed the cut by two shots.