Top seed and world number one Novak Djokovic defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-4 6-4 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters.
The Serbian is returning to action this week for the first time since losing the US Open final against Stan Wawrinka, and was happy enough with his display in seeing off Canada's Pospisil in 80 minutes.
"I was very pleased with the way I played from the first to last point. I don't think I dropped my level at all," Djokovic said on www.atpworldtour.com.
"It was really hard to read his serve. He was hitting the spots beautifully. He was putting a lot of power in that. Just when I needed to read his serve and play well, I did. It was enough: one break in both sets."
Djokovic will play qualifier Mischa Zverev for a place in the last four.
The German, who got past the unpredictable Nick Kyrgios on Wednesday, recovered from losing the opening set to defeat Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 6-1.
Alexander Zverev, younger of the two brothers, was beaten 6-7 (4/7) 6-2 7-5 by ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Facing the Frenchman in the quarter-finals will be Roberto Bautista Agut after the 19th seeded Spaniard got the better of Viktor Troicki 6-3 6-3, the Serbian unable to follow-up on his shock win over Rafael Nadal in the last round.
In the other half of the draw, number two seed Andy Murray continued his impressive recent form with a 6-1 6-3 win over Lucas Pouille, the 13th seed from France.
British number one Murray, winner of the China Open last week, will next meet David Goffin after the Belgian beat Gael Monfils of France, the 6th seed, 4-6 6-4 6-2
Completing the quarter -final line-up will be unseeded Jack Sock against Gilles Simon of France.
The American had earlier produced a remarkable recovery to knock out fifth seeded Canadian Milos Raonic 0-6 6-4 7-6 (10/8), while in Thursday's late match on the Stadium Court, number three seed Wawrinka suffered a surprising 6-4 6-4 defeat.
Source: PA
