Top-seeded Kei Nishikori has reached the quarter-finals of the Moselle Open by beating defending champion Peter Gojowczyk 7-6(4) 6-3.
The German earned his maiden ATP title in Metz last year but couldn't save either of the two break points he faced against Nishikori in the French tournament on Wednesday, which was enough for the Japanese player to wrap up the win in one hour and 33 minutes.
Fourth-seeded Richard Gasquet also reached the quarters by beating Constant Lestienne 6-4 6-2 in an all-French match-up, while No. 7 Filip Krajinovic of Serbia made the second round by defeating Corentin Moutet 6-1, 6-1 in his opening match.
In other first-round matches, French duo Benoit Paire and Gilles Simon also advanced, along with Marton Fucsovics of Hungary.
Australian qualifier Bernard Tomic was knocked out earlier in the week after a defeat to French wild card Ugo Humbert.
At the St Petersburg Open, Stan Wawrinka kept his injury comeback on track with a hard-fought win over Karen Khachanov to reach the quarter-finals.
Wawrinka saved two set points in each set on his way to winning 7-6(10), 7-6(1) over the fourth-seeded Khachanov, who at No.24 is ranked 64 places above Wawrinka.
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