Novak Djokovic stepped up a gear at the Japan Open on Wednesday, fending off a tough challenge from Japanese wild card Go Soeda 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals.
The world number one said he had no problems with the injured shoulder which forced him out of the US Open as he looked to face French fifth-seed Lucas Pouille at the Ariake Colosseum, a venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Elsewhere in the tournament, third-seed David Goffin came from behind in a dramatic first-round victory against Pablo Carreno Busta 1-6, 7-6(8), 6-0.
“It was a great fight. Such a tough opponent,” said Goffin, who will now face Denis Shapovalov.
“In the end, I am happy to go to the second round,” Goffin said.
Djokovic’s next opponent Pouille defeated Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1, 6-2.
American Reilly Opelka squeezed past Frenchman Gilles Simon 7-6(4), 7-6(2) while Lloyd Harris edged past Australian eighth-seed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(8).