Berdych wins to advance in Shenzhen

Beijing - Top seed and world number 9 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic battled Mikhail Kukushkin to prevail 7-6(7), 7-6(4) and advance at the Shenzhen Open Thursday.

The 31-year-old Czech blasted 16 aces to overpower his Kazakh opponent in two sets and secure his quarter-final berth.

Fourth-seed Bernard Tomic of Australia won a two-hour duel with American qualifier Ryan Harrison, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

The 23-year-old right hander hit only 10 aces to Harrison's 20, but held off the American's challenge, saving three break points to book a clash with Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in the quarter finals.

It was their second head-to-head clash in an ATP competition, with Tomic winning their last meeting in 2012.

For his part the 28-year-old Bellucci notched a two-set victory over Italy's Thomas Fabbiano, knocking down 13 aces to the Italian's five, to advance to the quarter finals.