BEIJING: Carlos Alcaraz barrelled into the China Open quarter-finals on Sunday in just 56 minutes as 595th-ranked Zhang Shuai extended her historic run.
Rain in Beijing played havoc with the schedule but four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz made rapid progress at the Diamond Court with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Tallon Griekspoor.
Alcaraz now faces seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov next after an ominous showing of intent from the 21-year-old Spaniard.
Russian Khachanov booked his place with a gruelling 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (11/9) victory over Argentina`s Francisco Cerundolo.
In the only other match completed on the day in the men`s draw, Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete pulled off a shock 6-2, 6-4 win over Italian sixth seed Lorenzo Musetti.
There was home joy too in the women`s draw as another wildcard, Shuai, reached the last 16 after defeating Belgium`s Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3.
Zhang, who faced Minnen as the lowest-ranked player to reach the China Open third round in the tournament`s history, faces Poland`s 23rd seed Magdalena Frech next.
US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula survived a scare as she edged Russia`sVeronikaKudermetova 6-7 (9/11), 6-1, 6-2, to set up a meeting with Spain`s Paula Badosa.
Badosa booked her place with a straight-sets win over Slovakian Rebecca Sramkova.-AFP