Alexandre Müller reaches Chengdu quarter-finals

Alexandre Müller has reached the quarter-finals of the Chengdu ATP 250, extending his winning run in China to four matches when qualifying is included. The Frenchman, ranked 135th in the world, is showing improved form after a difficult spell on the ATP circuit. His run began with a victory over fellow Frenchman Moïse Kouamé.

Müller overcame Italy’s Federico Cina 7-6, 6-1 in the second round, completing the match in one hour and 30 minutes. The opening set remained even after both players held their ground through several chances. Müller eventually took control in the tie-break, winning it 7-3 after Cina dropped serve twice.

The Frenchman then pulled away in the second set. After failing to convert two break points at 1-0, he broke Cina’s serve twice in succession to move 5-1 ahead. He served out the match at the first opportunity, securing his place in the last eight.

Müller now faces a much higher-ranked opponent in Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the tournament’s second seed and world No. 29. The quarter-final will test whether the 135th-ranked Frenchman can continue his strong sequence in Chengdu against one of the leading players in the draw.