Alexander Zverev opened his campaign at the China Open with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut on Tuesday (October 2).
Germany's star tennis player was making his first appearance since a third-round exit at the US Open.
Despite an early stumble in the first set, he saw off the Spaniard in just over an hour and a half.
Zverev will next face Tunisia's Malek Jaziri who advanced after beating China's Wu Yibing in straight sets.