Novak Djokovic saw off Britain's Kyle Edmund on Thursday to reach his eighth Paris Masters quarterfinal, where he will renew his burgeoning rivalry with Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The top seed, battling Rafael Nadal for the year-end world number one spot, needed seven set points in the first set before winning 7-6 (9/7), 6-1.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion is chasing a record-extending fifth Bercy title, but will next face world number seven Tsitsipas, who leads their head-to-head record 2-1.
Djokovic is hoping to tie Pete Sampras' record of finishing six years as the world's best player, but Nadal can be sure of denying the Serbian that achievement with a maiden Paris title this week.
“It was good. I wasn't really feeling comfortable in the first set,” said the 32-year-old, who has been struggling with the flu this week.
“It was a bit like yesterday (against Corentin Moutet). I hope to be better in the next match.”
The Spaniard takes on three-time Grand Slam title-winner Stan Wawrinka in his third-round match later on Thursday.
Dimitrov downs Thiem
Former world number three Dimitrov produced a fantastic performance to beat fifth seed Thiem 6-3, 6-2 and reach the last eight in Paris for the first time.
It will also be the Bulgarian's first Masters quarterfinal since the Canadian Open last year as he continues his rise up the rankings.
Dimitrov was the world number 78 heading into the US Open, but reached the semifinals and is now ranked 27th.
The 28-year-old, who had dispatched 12th seed David Goffin in round two, defended brilliantly throughout as two-time French Open runner-up Thiem appeared to feel the effects of winning his home title in Vienna last weekend.
Dimitrov will take on Cristian Garin for a semifinal spot, after the unseeded Chilean saved three match points in a deciding-set tie-break to end the run of French qualifier Jeremy Chardy.
The world number 42 claimed five straight points to close out victory, winning 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to book his maiden Masters quarterfinal.
“It was a really tough fight, Jeremy is such a good player. I played my best,” said Garin.
Greek star Tsitsipas, who has reached at least the semis in each of his last three tournaments, eased past De Minaur, ending the Australian's hopes of qualifying for next month's ATP Tour Finals in London.
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