Borna Coric stormed into the ATP Zhuhai Championships quarterfinals with an emphatic straight-set win over China's Wu Di on Thursday. The fourth-seeded Croatian, who will face Australia's Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals, sat down with CGTN's Sports Scene to talk about his recent form and to reflect on his season so far.

Coric, 22, hung tough to make his first final in nearly 12 months at the St. Petersburg Open where he lost to Russia's Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The Croatian then came to Zhuhai to kick off his Asian swing. 

"It was a great tournament for me obviously in St. Petersburg. In the last three months I didn't play much tennis and I was really struggling with some injuries. In the U.S. Open I needed to retire in the second round and then I needed to take another 10 days off. So it was not a great time for me and I came to St. Petersburg with no great expectations."

"In St. Petersburg, obviously I was having some problems but I was able to resolve [them] with some painkillers, with massage, with some stretches. It was nothing serious but that was an important thing. So mentally I am not really fresh like I said. I can play every week from now on until the end of the year because I haven't played that much and didn't have so much rest in about five years. So I am okay," he added.

His lower back strain also forced him to withdraw prior to Wimbledon in halfway through the season. However, Coric has recovered from the injury and looked strong as he beat home favorite Wu Di in the second round at the Hengqin International Tennis Center on Wednesday.

"I feel great every time I come here. The hotel, weather and anything and everything. It's always really nice to play here. Last year I had my best tournament so far and was the best result in my whole career. That came out of nowhere, to be honest. So I am hoping that I may [have] a good run this year."

The Croatian kicked off his Asian swing in China for a third straight year. He has good memories after reaching his first Masters 1000 Series final in Shanghai last year by beating 20-time major champion Roger Federer in the semifinals. Coric lost to Novak Djokovic in the final, but still describes that as the best tournament in his career so far.

Last year Coric also claimed his biggest title at the Gerry Weber Open, reaching the last 16 at a Grand Slam for his first time, and helping Croatia win the Davis Cup, to end the season ranked 12th. Despite injuries this year, he's kept a positive attitude.

"Honestly, I get many messages on Instagram and Twitters as well. I see lots of love, to be honest. Lots of love out there and when I posted the other day that I am coming to China, I saw many messages and I am really happy about it."