Hong Kong, 14 October 2015 | AAP

Bernard Tomic has upset seventh seed David Ferrer to power into the third round of the Shanghai Masters.

Tomic’s 6-4 6-2 victory is a big blow to Ferrer’s hopes of qualifying for the eight-man season-ending championships but pushed the Australian No.1 to within a win of his eighth quarterfinal of the year.

It was Tomic’s second victory over the top-10 stalwart Ferrer in 2015; he also beat the Spaniard at Indian Wells in March.

Enjoying a career-high ranking of No.20 in the world, Tomic next plays either 11th-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet or Canadian Vasek Pospisil for a place in the last eight.

“I’m very, very pleased,” said Tomic.

“I played very well. Playing a very difficult player. It’s not easy when you step on court with him.

“He’s in very good form. He won Malaysia, played well in Beijing.

“I thought I did a very good job of what I needed to do today.”

Later on Wednesday, Nick Kyrgios stretched No.6 seed Kei Nishikori before going down in three sets.

Kyrgios, aged 20 and the Australian No.2, fell 1-6 6-4 6-4.