CARY, NC – Still hot from a win over Jack Sock, No. 43 seed Jhonnatan Medina-Alvarez defeated sixth-seeded Jaume Martinez Vich 3-11, 11-8, 11-6 at the Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Cup on Thursday.

“Going up against him, I knew I had to be physical. Jaume is really good at changing pace, but I got to this point where I was able to relax and then hit the ball where I wanted it to go,” explained Medina-Alvarez.

Defeating highly-skilled players like Sock and Martinez Vich is no easy task, of course, so Medina-Alvarez is grateful to advance.

“These guys I’m up against are professional players. They train hard and play every single week. But for me, I just get to be in the moment and enjoy. If I do that, it takes the pressure off,” he shared.

On Friday, a matchup with fourth-seeded Connor Garnett awaits in the quarterfinals.

“I came in here as a qualifier and look where I am,” said Medina-Alvarez. “I just have to keep asking my job not to fire me because I’m asking for too many PTOs at this point.”