Dan Evans gave Carlos Alcaraz a real test in a terrific clash at the Shanghai Masters before the top seed booked his place in the fourth round.
The British number 2 led by a break in each set, but the Wimbledon champion fought back each time to secure a straight-sets victory 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 after two hours and 27 minutes.
It was a fourth meeting between the two men, with Alcaraz having won the previous three, although Evans won his first set against the Spaniard in another entertaining match at the US Open last month.
A first set lasting one hour and 27 minutes saw Evans withstand immense pressure in a contest of incredible exchanges before finally succumbing in the tie-break.
Evans led 4-1 but converted his only chance, while Alcaraz could only take one of his 13 break points, his opponent saving six in a fifth game that lasted almost 20 minutes.
Alcaraz eventually fought back to make it 4-4 and dominated the tiebreak, but Evans didn’t let his head drop and came out strong again to start the second set.
A break for 2-1 was immediately snatched back by Alcaraz, who found a second break on Evans’ serve when he needed it most to claim victory on his second match point.
“It was one of the most difficult matches I have played so far outside of Grand Slam tournaments,” Alcaraz said after the victory. “Every time I face Daniel, it’s a tricky match.
“I think we both played great quality tennis. I’m really happy to come out of it.”
Elsewhere, British number one Katie Boulter was also beaten in the first round of the Korea Open, losing in straight sets – 6-4, 6-4 to Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan.
Boulter, ranked 52nd in the world and the tournament’s eighth seed, reached the third round at Wimbledon and the US Open earlier this year.