NOUMÉA, January 3, 2018

The seeded players in second round action on Wednesday found their way into the quarterfinals of the $75,000 Internationeaux BNP Paribas in Nouméa. Second favourite Taylor Fritz won the all-US-American-encounter with Kevin King 7-6, 5-7, 6-4.

The 20-year-old from California won one point less than his opponent but sealed victory in two hours and 19 minutes to face German qualifier Tim Pütz next, who beat Hubert Hurkacz from Poland 7-5, 6-1.

The tournament’s number three Cameron Norrie recovered from a set down to overcome Vincent Millot of France 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. The 22-year-old Briton sent down eight aces and broke serve seven times to prevail after one hour and 49 minutes. Norrie, who had to save five match points in his opening round match, will next face seventh favourite Kenny de Schepper from France.

Fourth seed Casper Ruud defeated Frenchman Geoffrey Blancaneaux 6-2, 6-3 to set a quarterfinal clash with Gleb Sakharov, seeded sixth in New Caledonia.

Noah Rubin ended the successful run of Hungarian qualifier Zsombor Piros, who knocked out the tournament’s number one Julien Benneteau on Tuesday. The 21-year-old US-American converted five of his 11 break point chances to secure a 6-4, 6-3 victory in one hour and 21 minutes.

Next up for Rubin will be #NextGenATP Frenchman Corentin Moutet, who edged past Italian qualifier Liam Caruana 6-4, 6-2. The encounter lasted one hour and 18 minutes.