Alex de Minaur has glided into the third round of the Cincinnati Masters with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 win over home hope Reilly Opelka.

The world No.38 beat the American wildcard in just one hour and 34 minutes on Wednesday to make the third round of an ATP Masters tournament for the second time.

De Minaur will next face Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, who stunned compatriot and close friend Kei Nishikori 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in baseline dual that lasted one hour and 40 minutes.

Nishikori became the seventh seeded man to lose or withdraw during the first two rounds.

“It was a tough match for me,” the Japanese star said afterwards.

“I think he played good tennis. Served well … good to see he’s getting stronger, growing up.”

Nishioka’s win comes just after his 7-5 5-7 6-4 win over Australian Jordan Thompson in the second round, meaning the in-form world No.77 may prove a tough opponent for de Minaur.

Fellow Australian Nick Kyrgios faces Russian Karen Kachanov in the second round later on Wednesday.