David Goffin advanced to the Japan Open quarterfinals after squeezing by Denis Shapovalov 7-6(7/5), 7-6(7/2) on Thursday.
Both men kept all of their service games — with Shapovalov nailing 10 aces against third-seed Goffin’s four — in the close match that lasted nearly two hours.
Goffin, winner here in 2017, used his footwork to survive two break points while the big-serving Canadian kept up the pressure.
Goffin will now face Chung Hyeon, who pulled an upset victory against sixth-seed Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
“It was tough. We were both really solid on our service games,” Goffin said of his match.
In the rest of the tournament, wild card Taro Daniel defeated Jordan Thompson 6-4, 7-6(7/3).
He will next face Australian qualifier John Millman, who defeated Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-2.