Alex de Minaur has continued his impressive start to 2021, breezing into the quarter-finals at the Antalya Open in Turkey.
The fourth seed and Australia’s No.1 cruised to a 6-3 6-1 victory over Bulgarian qualifier Adrian Andreev on Saturday in 70 minutes.
In their first ever meeting, world No.23 de Minaur was solid with ball in hand winning 72 per cent of his first serves.
And he was deadly on return breaking his 19-year-old opponent, ranked 564 in the world, six times from 12 opportunities.
The 21-year-old from Sydney will next face either sixth seed Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia or Turkish wildcard Altug Celikbilek in the last eight.
Elsewhere, Fabio Fognini joined his fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini in launching their 2021 seasons in fine form.
Third seed Fognini beat Czech qualifier Michael Vrbensky 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in one hour and 39 minutes and will next challenge France’s Jeremy Chardy, who defeated Radu Albot of Moldova 6-3 6-4.
World No.10 and top seed Matteo Berrettini disposed of Turkish wild card Ergi Kirkin 6-0 6-4 in just 56 minutes, while serving down eight aces and winning 24 of 26 first-service points.
“I thought it was important to play in the first week of the season, ahead of the Australian swing,” the 24-year-old Berrettini told ATPTour.com.
“I have been working hard and for the first time in two years haven’t been affected by an injury coming into a new season. I thought I played well today and I’m looking to build my confidence in Antalya.”
The Italian will next face Bulgarian qualifier Dimitar Kuzmanov, who led 6-1 3-2 when Serbia’s Laslo Djere had to retire with an eye inflammation.