Zverev has winning start in Beijing

Top seed Alexander Zverev defeated Cameron Norrie 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 on Thursday to reach the round of 16 at the China Open.

French and US Open champion Zverev was not glorious and needed to save a set point against his British opponent, but he eventually got the job done in 1 hour 39 minutes in Beijing.

"I am surprised because I didn't think I played well because I only arrived two days ago," Zverev was quoted by the ATP as saying on court.

"I feel a bit jet-lagged and came from an indoor tournament to an outdoor tournament, but I felt good on the court and I felt it was a high-level match," added the German who on Sunday secured Laver Cup for Europe in London.

Zverev next faces Chinese Shang Juncheng and could run into former number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

Second-ranked Zverev has a chance to become world number one with good showings over the coming weeks as top-ranked Jannik Sinner is still sidelined with knee problems and has many points to defend.

French Open finalist Flavio Cobolli crashed out, the fourth seed losing 6-3, 6-2 against Roman Safiullin.

There were also surprises at the Japan Opern in Tokyo, where a seemingly ailing third seed Taylor Fritz was ousted 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 6-3 by Jaume Munar and Luciano Darderi defeated sixth seed Casper Ruud 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

Former top 10 player Holger Rune returned to action from an Achilles tendon rupture that sidelined him for almost a year, losing 6-3, 6-1 against Kyrian Jacquet.

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-1 and second seed Frances Tiafoe ended the career of local hero Kei Nishikori, 6-4, 6-4. Nishikori, 36, is a former world number four and US Open finalist.