Rafael Nadal has continued to scythe his way through the Shanghai Masters, reaching the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-1 thrashing of temperamental Italian Fabio Fognini.
The Spaniard needed just over an hour to dispatch Fognini, taking his winning streak to 14 matches since the start of the US Open where he claimed a 16th grand slam title.
The 31-year-old is closing in on finishing the year as world No.1 for the first time since 2013.
Fognini was playing the day after being handed a suspended ban from two grand slams and $96,000 (A$123,000) fine for verbally abusing a female umpire at the US Open.
Roger Federer is the only player who can stop Nadal sealing the year-end honour for a fourth time.
Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro won the match of the day by stopping third seed Alexander Zverev, recovering from losing the opener to win 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
Sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov, who saved match points on Wednesday against Ryan Harrison, had a more comfortable day as he beat American 10th seed Sam Querrey 6-3 7-6 (7-3).
Dimitrov, closing in on a first appearance at the ATP World Tour Finals, plays Nadal next.
Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic also eased into the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 defeat of American Steve Johnson.