Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell have ensured Australia can boast two quarter-finalists at the ATP's Chengdu Open as big-time men's tennis returns to China.
Thompson, backing up his excellent win over his Sydneysider pal Max Purcell the previous day, outplayed Serbia's Dusan Lajovic 6-1 7-6 (7-1) on Friday to set up a last-eight meeting with Roman Safiullin, the surprise Wimbledon quarter-finalist.
Thompson, who's made his fourth quarter of the season, was then followed by another of his Sydney buddies Chris O'Connell, who came through a titanic first set en route to beating Taro Daniel 7-6 (12-10) 6-4, eventually requiring five match points before finally subduing the Japanese No.3 after two hours 36 minutes.
