MUNICH: German world number three AlexanderZverevisthroughto the quarter-finals of the ATP event in Munich after cruising to a straight-sets win over Daniel Altmaier on Wednesday.

Zverev, the top seed at a tournament he won in 2017 and 2018, won 6-3, 6-2 to reach his 99th quarterfinal on the ATP tour.

`He makes it complicated. He has beaten lots of top players before. He`s beaten (Jannik) Sinner, he`s beaten me before, so he knows how to make it complicated,` said Zverev.

`I`m extremely happywith the win and looking forward to the next match.

Zverev has not made it past the quarters on the Munich clay since last winning the tournament seven years ago. He has also struggled for form since losing the Australian Open final in January.

In six tournaments since losing to Sinner at Melbourne Park, Zverev has been unable to get past the quarter-finals.

A defeat to Matteo Berrettiniinhisfirstmatch at the Monte Carlo Masters last week cost Zverev a shot at the world number oneranking held by Sinner.

Zverev then dropped down from second after Carlos Alcaraz won the title in the principality.

The 27-year-old Zverev will face either fellow German Yannick Hanfmann or Tallon Griekspoor, of the Netherlands, for a place in the semi-finals in Munich.

Zverev joined world number 15 Ben Shelton in the last eight. Shelton beat Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(7/1), 6-3 earlier on Wednesday.

Shelton, seeded second, was broken in the opening set by Van de Zandschulp,in the tournament as a lucky loser.

The American fought back with a break of his own before a dominant showing in the tie-break.

The 22-year-old continued his dominance in the second set, winning the match against his 89thranked opponent in one hour and 28 minutes.

`I couldn`t be happier, Shelton told the crowd. `I love playing in Germany and especially in Munich...

there`s still a lot to do.

Shelton will face Italian Luciano Darderi in the quarter-finals.

On Tuesday, Diego Ded-ura-Palomero became the first player born in 2008 or later to take part in an ATP tour match when he overcame eighth seed Denis Shapovalov to reach the last 16 at the Munich Open.

Born on March 12, 2008, Dedura-Palomero is ranked 549th in the world.

Added to the main draw as a lucky loser after the withdrawal of French veteran Gael Monfils, the 17-year-old was leading 7-6(7/2), 3-0 up when his opponent retired hurt.

`I can`t believe it and can`t put it into words. Pm so happy,` Dedura-Palomero said on court after the match.

`I told myself: Just have fun, enjoy the atmosphere.

This is crazy. I want to thank my mum, who`s watching at home, and my brother.

Dedura-Palomero`s elation was in stark contrast to the emotions of last year`s winner Jan-Lennard Struff, who was thumped 6-0, 6-2 by Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo earlier.

`The confidence isn`t there, zero,` Struff said, adding: `As soon as I get out on the court I feel like the power has been cut.

-AFP