Mark Lajal moved into the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenger 75 tournament in Jiujiang, China, after beating Marat Sharipov 6–4, 6–4 on Friday. The 22-year-old won in straight sets, taking control with an early break in the third game and finishing the job with another break in the eighth game of the first set.
Lajal, ranked 164th in the world, was 201 places above Sharipov and played the cleaner big points when it mattered most. He served five aces and saved five break points, while also producing 18 winners against 30 unforced errors. Sharipov finished with 19 winners and 32 unforced errors.
The second set stayed tight at the start, with both players saving two break points in their opening service games. But Lajal found the decisive break in the ninth game and held on from there to close out the match and advance in Jiujiang.
What comes next is a stiffer test. Lajal will face Sun Fajing in the quarterfinals, with the 29-year-old Chinese player ranked ATP No. 213 and carrying form of his own after winning two Challenger tournaments, including one a fortnight ago. Sharipov played under a neutral flag, but the result left Lajal still moving forward in a draw that is starting to tighten.
For Lajal, the margin in this one came from timing more than authority. He did not overpower Sharipov, but he took the breaks when they opened and protected his own serve well enough to keep the match on his terms.
