Competing at tour level for the first time since falling in the Australian Open first-rounder, early in January, world No. 10 Andrey Rublev launched his campaign in Montpellier with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over former No. 29 Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 6-3 in 65 minutes on Wednesday.
The match-win, his first this season, ended a five-match losing streak, sending the 27-year-old to the quarterfinals, where he will face either world No. 61 Arthur Rinderknech or Georgia Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Dominant behind his serve, the top seed won 89 percent of his first-serve points while breaking his opponent three times en route to take victory.
Meanwhile, defending champion Alexander Bublik eased past German Dominik Koepfer 6-4, 6-2 in 70 minutes on the indoor hard courts, progressing to his 30th career quarterfinal.
On his way to the title last year, the fourth seed fought back from a set down in each of his matches on French soil to lift the trophy.
The player from Kazakhstan became a two-time champion at the ATP 250 tournament after battling past Borna Coric 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in an edgy two-hour, 18-minute championship match.
In addition, second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime overpowered local favorite Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 7-6(5), securing his 50th indoor victory.
The Adelaide International champion will next face eighth seed Yunchaokete Bu in his 52nd quarterfinal on tour, his second at the event.
The 23-year-old Chinese player defeated Frenchman Constant Lestienne in straight sets to set up a first-time meeting with the top Canadian player.
Previously, he edged German Daniel Altmaier to open proceedings with a straightforward win on Monday at the Open Occitanie.