Jannik Sinner overcame a second set blip to defeat Terence Atmane 6-4 5-7 6-0 and reach the Beijing quarter-finals.
The world number one is through to the last eight but it was a tough match against the Frenchman as the Italian lost the second set.
However, Sinner took advantage of Atmane suffering from cramps in the final set to win all six games and book his place in the quarter-finals.
After the match Sinner praised Atmane’s improvement from their last meeting in Cincinnati as he moved into the quarter-finals, “The game style he plays is quite unique and he is a lefty and we don’t have so many. He is a great, great player and has improved a lot again since Cincinnati,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“Today he struggled a little bit in the third set with some cramp but it was a tough, tricky second-round match. I was twice up with a break in the second set and I couldn’t use it, but this is the sport and this happens.
“Maybe the concentration went down a little bit at times and some nerves, but I am very happy to be through to the next round.”
Next up for Sinner will be Fabian Maroszan on Monday after the Hungarian defeated Alexandre Muller in the second round.
There was also victory for Alex De Minaur as he defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-3 3-6 7-6(2) in a close contest to reach the final.
The Australian will play either Jakub Mensik or Arthur Cazaux in the quarter-finals.
