De Minaur storms into ATP's Acapulco Open quarters

De Minaur, the world No.22, is enjoying a solid block of form and booked his third straight last-eight appearance after doing so previously in Rotterdam and Marseille.

The 24-year-old Sydneysider set up a contest with Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel, who saw off fourth-ranked Casper Rudd 7-5 2-6 7-6 (7-5).

For Daniel, the victory was his first over a top-10 player and ended an eight-match losing streak against players ranked in the top 10.

Ruud reached No.2 in the rankings after losing the last US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz and against the 30-year-old Daniel, the Norwegian committed 46 unforced errors and slipped to 3-4 in 2023.

"I think every time these victories feel more like my own. The first time I beat (Novak) Djokovic, it felt a little bit like he was not playing very well," Daniel said.

"But this time I felt like I was really playing against Casper at a high level. I mean obviously he's still coming back, he's a bit rusty and all that. But still, I had to win it.

"It was a very physical battle, great atmosphere, so happy."

In other matches, Frances Tiafoe beat Feliciano Lopez 6-2 7-6 (8-6), advancing to face Matteo Berrettini after he defeated Swede Elias Ymer 6-3 6-3.

McKenzie McDonald ousted Brandon Nakashima 6-2 6-0 and will face off against Tommy Paul, who reached the quarters when Michael Mmoh retired in the second set.

Meantime, in Santiago, Jaume Munar of Spain has upset top-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals at the clay-court Chile Open.

The 66th-ranked Munar will next face Brazilian player Thiago Monteiro, who progressed by beating Marco Cecchinato of Italy 3-6 6-3 6-2.

German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann beat Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 and will meet Nicolas Jarry in the last eight, after the Chilean beat fourth seed Diego Schwartzman 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-2).

With agencies.