Zverev and Tsitsipas boost ATP Finals chances as Evans bows out in Beijing
Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas both boosted their hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in London next month with second-round victories at the China Open.
Zverev is currently outside the top eight and in danger of being unable to defend the title he won at the O2 last year but a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Felix Auger-aliassime in Beijing was a welcome boost.
Tsitsipas sits in sixth place but has struggled over the last few months. He came from a set down to beat defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Three sets were also needed for Sam Querrey to get past Diego Schwartzman.
The American upset the world No 16 with a hardearned 7-6 (2), 6-7 (6), 6-3 win in a match that lasted two hours and 17 minutes.
Earlier, John Isner ended the hopes of British No 2 Dan Evans with a 7-6 (3), 7-5 win in just under two hours. The bigserving American will meet Tsitsipas for a place in the semi-finals.
Third seed David Goffin moved into the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with a straight-sets win over Denis Shapovalov.
The Belgian world No 15, who won the title in 2017, came through his second-round match against the Canadian 7-6 (5) 7-6 (2).
Goffin now faces Hyeon Chung after the Korean knocked out sixth seed Marin Cilic 6-4 3-6 6-1.
Australian John Millman saw off Lloyd George Harris of South Africa 6-3 6-2, while there was home success as Taro Daniel beat Jordan Thompson 6-4 7-6 (3).
In the women’s singles in Beijing, fourth seed Naomi Osaka secured her place in the quarter-finals with a confident straight-sets win over Alison Riske. The Japan No 1 coasted past the American 6-4, 6-0 and now plays Bianca Andreescu. The US Open champion came through Thursday’s late match 6-1, 6-3 against American qualifier Jennifer Brady.
Another victory in Beijing extended the Canadian’s winning streak to 16 straight matches.