Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated local star Zhang Ze 6-3, 6-4 to earn himself a spot in the quarterfinals at the China Open here on Thursday.

The world number seven had a perfect 5-0 start in the first set, but didn't pocket an easy win as the 389th-ranked wild carder Zhang held his third serve and broke back to draw the score to 5-3. Tsonga then claimed the first set 6-3 with his powerful serves.

"He served and returned well in the match," said Zhang. "I think I can compete with him in other aspects."

The French star, who was fighting for a berth in the ATP finals, powered 8 aces throughout the match. Zhang only had 4 aces, and made four more double faults than his opponent.

"Of course on the paper I was better than him, but on the court it's all the time different," said the 26-year-old French. "It was not easy today, and I'm happy to win."

Tsonga has twice come to Beijing for the China Open, but he was defeated in the second round in his both previous attempts.

Tsonga had a more difficult second set as Zhang saved one break point to secure the first game, and the two players levelled until Zhang was broken in the seventh game.

Tsonga forced Zhang to make a couple of mistakes when the score got to 5-4, and harvested the victory 6-4.

Tsonga would next face Spanish veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero, who eliminated compatriot Marcel Granollers.