Jack Draper continued his Wimbledon preparations with a win over American Marcos Giron and booked his place in the Stuttgart Open quarter-finals.
Draper, who is threatening Cameron Norrie's spot at the top of the British men's rankings, missed the entire grass-court season last year due to injury.
After a straight-set win over Sebastian Ofner on Monday, Draper found things more difficult this time against Giron, who had comfortably seen off another Briton, Andy Murray, in their first-round match.
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Stuttgart Open match highlights between Andy Murray and Marcos Giron
The opening set remained on serve until Draper broke in the fifth game, with the 22-year-old taking it 6-4 after just 31 minutes.
Giron regrouped in the second set. After saving five break points by making a key hold in the fifth game, the American leveled the match by beating Draper to take a 5-3 lead.
However, Draper took a 3-0 lead in the deciding set and despite Giron continuing to battle, Draper ultimately won 6-4 3-6 6-3.
“I thought I played a really good first set, but then I came back really strong,” Draper said after her win.
“I lacked concentration a little bit, but I came out really strong in the third set and I was really happy to finish the match.
“He beat Andy Murray yesterday. Murray is obviously an amazing player and I knew he had such a high level.
“I had to come out and know he was going to bring it, but I was able to stay with him and get through it. I'm really happy with the way I performed mentally today.”
Defending champion Frances Tiafoe awaits Draper in the quarterfinals.
Draper will play another American, Frances Tiafoe, in the last eight after the defending champion beat German Yannick Hanfmann 7-5 7-6 (7-5).
Italy's fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Dominique Köfer 6-7(9-11) 7-6(7-5) 6-3, before going on to win 6-1 before defeating Alexander Bublik. I faced off with. 7-6 (7-4) over Hamad Mejedovic.
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