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Alex De Minaur is through to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters. (Getty Images: Lintao Zhang)
In short:
Alex de Minaur has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4.
The win moves de Minaur into seventh in the standings for the end-of-year ATP finals, leapfrogging Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe, who have bowed out in Shanghai.
What's next?
De Minaur faces world number one Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters.
Alex de Minaur has taken a giant stride towards clinching another ATP Finals berth after roaring into the last eight of the Shanghai Masters.
Continuing to defy the hip flexor injury that threatened to end his season less than a week ago, de Minaur downed dual grand slam semifinalist Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4 to jump to seventh place in the Race to Turin's live standings.
Crucially, Australia's baseline warrior has leapfrogged Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe, who have already been eliminated in China, as he chases more valuable rankings points in the quarter-finals — and potentially beyond.
But Alexander Zvererv, who will be the year-end world number one, stands in his way after the German beat Alexander Bublik 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(1).
In his fifth encounter against Khachanov, de Minaur knew efficiency was key.
"It was really important for me to serve well and I think I definitely did that, especially down the stretch," he said.
"I got into a little bit of trouble, a couple of love-30 games, and I was able to find some good serves when I needed it."
De Minaur, who reached the semi-finals at the prestigious season-ending tournament last year, cut a forlorn figure after being forced to retire early in the second set of last week's China Open final against Djokovic, when a set down.
His comeback has been nothing short of remarkable.
"Ultimately I've been getting better and better every day," the 27-year-old said.
"Today was by far my best match and I think that I'm only going to get better.
"I know that once I'm fit physically and mentally, I'm the player that I [want to be] and I'm excited to be competing and going to the tail end of these tournaments and feeling great about myself."
Despite a 4-8 record against Zverev, de Minaur prevailed in their past two meetings, both at Laver Cup, including two weeks ago. Zverev has fitness problems of his own.
"My ankle was acting up, unfortunately," Zverev said, who saved three set points against Bublik in the first-set tiebreak.
"It was understandable because I have been playing a lot of tennis, which is kind of a good sign because I have been playing well. I am starting to feel my body more and more but I am happy to get through."
AAP