Two-time Atlanta Open champion Alex de Minaur has begun the defence of his 2022 title with a 6-3 6-4 win over good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in their first ATP Tour clash.
And second seed de Minaur has been joined in the quarter-finals by fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic, who toppled Japan's fourth-seeded Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in hot conditions at the hardcourt event on Wednesday.
World No.17 de Minaur was down a break early in the second set against Kokkinakis but fought back to set up a clash with France's Ugo Humbert, who saw off South Africa's Lloyd Harris 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
"I let him dictate too much so I tried to step in and play on my terms, which is what got me the first set," de Minaur told atptour.com.
"I’m happy to live and fight another day.
"Thanasi is a very good friend. We know each other well and just yesterday we were hanging out all day. It’s always tricky to play a mate."
World No.82 Vukic set up a quarter-final encounter with fifth seed Christopher Eubanks, who ousted fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 7-5.
