BEIJING (AP) — Nakopo ni Rafael Nadal ang ika-58 panalo ngayong season nang gapiin si Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 6-3, nitong Huwebes (Biyernes sa Manila) upang makausad sa quarterfinals ng China Open.
Naisalba ng top-ranked Spaniard, kampeon sa French Open at U.S. Open ngayong taon, ang anim na break points tungo sa panalo at makausad nang bahagya kay Roger Federer sa labanan sa No.1 ranking.
Sunod na makakaharap ni Nadal si John Isner, nagwagi kay American Leonardo Mayer 6-0, 6-3.
“Tomorrow will be a tough one against Isner,” pahayag ni Nadal. “John is a very good player from the baseline, too. I saw him today. He played so aggressive, having a lot of success, hitting a lot of winners, returning very well.”
Umusad din sa susunod na round si second-seeded Alexander Zverev nang gapiin si Fabio Fognini, 6-4, 6-2. Makakaharap ng German sa susunod na round si Andrey Rublev, sinilat si seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Sa women’s tournament, umusad si Jelena Ostapenko nang magretiro ag karibal na si Peng Shuai, 3-0.
Nakalusot din sina third-seeded Sorana Cirstea kontra fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 7-5, hiniya ni Caroline Garcia si Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-1, habang ginapi ni Petra Kvitova si dating No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 6-4.
