(Tokyo) It’s no secret that Félix Auger-Aliassime is having a difficult season. However, the light seems to be appearing at the end of the tunnel, after the Quebecer scored a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Sebastian Ofner in the round of 16 of the Tokyo Open on Wednesday, allowing him to record a second victory in a row for the first time since March.

The 23-year-old tennis player, who had not won two matches in a row since Indian Wells last spring, erased a deficit of a break in the first set before easily winning the second by winning the last six games.

“I needed this kind of result,” admitted Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Aleksander Vukic in the first round. I have confidence in my game, and in my means, and I know that I can win at this level. I’ve done it before, and I can do it again, except you have to be overflowing with confidence and optimism. I’m happy that my level of play is finally improving on the pitch, especially after these last few months. »

Auger-Aliassime will meet in the next round with American Marcos Giron, who upset eighth seed Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-4.

Fifth seed Tommy Paul disposed of compatriot Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-2. Paul, 12th player in the world, will face another American, Ben Shelton, in the next round, who defeated Australian Jordan Thompson 6-7 (5), 6-4 and 6-3.

Furthermore, the winner of the Shanghai Masters, Hubert Hurkacz, lost in the first round 3-6, 6-4 and 7-6 (4) to the 57th world player Zhang Zhizhen.

Zhang fired 10 aces and three breaks, avenging his loss to Hurkacz last week in Shanghai.

Among the women, third seed Marie Bouzkova advanced to the quarterfinals of the Jiangxi Open after defeating Amina Anshba 7-5, 6-0.

Bouzkova will face Colombian Camila Osorio in the next round, who toppled eighth seed Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4, 7-5 late in the program.

For her part, the Japanese Nao Hibino obtained a 6-3, 7-5 victory against Kimberly Birrell, thus continuing her irresistible momentum after ousting the tournament favorite, Beatriz Haddad-Maia, in the first round. Hibino, ranked 93rd in the world, will face Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals on Friday after the Russian took advantage of Vera Zvonareva’s withdrawal due to discomfort while trailing 6-3, 0 -1.

Quebecer Leylah Annie Fernandez must face Chinese You Xiaodi in the round of 16 on Thursday.