Fognini eliminates Rublev from China Open Round of 16

Beijing : Italy's Fabio Fognini continued his recent form to defeat Russia's Andrey Rublev in straight sets on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the China Open in Beijing.

The fourth-seeded Italian beat 20-year-old Rublev, ranked 68th in the world, 6-4, 6-3, reports Efe news.

Fognini's win was his 42nd this year, matching his career-best record from 2013.

The Italian was superior in every category, and the match swung on his three successful break points, while Rublev failed to break his serve once.

Fognini advances to the last eight of the competition, where he will face Marton Fucsovics of Hungary.