Home favourite Kei Nishikori made a winning return to the Japan Open in Tokyo with a straight sets win over compatriot Yuichi Sugita.
Nishikori, a recent semi-finalist at both the US Open and Moselle Open, continued his momentum as he dispatched Sugita 6-4 6-1 in just 82 minutes.
The two-time Japan Open champion will next face Frenchman Benoit Paire, who beat Nicolas Jarry 6-4 7-6 (1).
Milos Raonic also advanced with a typically powerful 6-3 6-4 win over Adrian Mannarino but fellow seeds Chung Hyeon and Diego Schwartzman both bowed out.
Seventh seed Chung was beaten 6-3 3-6 6-2 by Canada's Denis Shapovalov while Schwartzman, seeded four, fell 6-4 6-4 to Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev.
Qualifiers Martin Klizan and Yosuke Watanuki also advanced with wins over Steve Johnson and Robin Haase respectively.
At the China Open, Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez saved three match points on his way to edging past seventh seed Borna Coric.
Wild card Lopez battled back from 5-2 down to take the first set 7-5 and staged a further revival in the decider to claim a 7-5 5-7 7-5 win in two hours and 45 minutes.
British number one Kyle Edmund recovered from a disappointing start to join Lopez in round two with a 3-6 6-1 6-2 win over Peter Gojowczyk of Germany.
Sam Querrey was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Karen Khachanov while Marton Fucsovics, Dusan Lajovic and Malek Jaziri were the day's other winners in Beijing.
