Rafael Nadal beat Russian Next Gen player Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-3 after 89 minutes to reach the quarter finals at the China Open in Beijing. Nadal broke three times and saved all the six points he faced. Nadal beat Khachanov for the second time this year after their third round match at Wimbledon last July. The World Number 1 has already won five titles including two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and at the US Open, two Masters 1000 titles in Monte-Carlo and Madrid and Barcelona.
Nadal had to save three break points in the opening game and held her serve at deuce. He converted his second break point at deuce in the fourth game to open up a 4-1 lead and never looked back to clinch the first set. Khachanov saved one break point in the sixth and eight games and held his serve both times at deuce for 3-5. Nadal hit two aces to serve out the first set to love by 6-3.
Nadal had to save three consecutive break points to hold his serve in the second game at deuce. The 16-time Grand Slam champion converted his first break in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Khachanov made four double faults in the seventh game and faced three break points but held his serve at deuce for 3-4. Nadal sealed the second set by 6-3 with his third break of the match to 15.
Nadal will take on US John Isner, who swept aside Leonardo Mayer 6-0 6-3. Isner hit eight aces and converted all four break points. Mayer did not convert a break point in the first game of the match and a game point in the second and fourth games. Isner won the first three games of the second set and held his nervice games to cruise into the next round.
The Spanish tennis legend will be bidding to win his second China Open title after his first win in the Chinese capital back in 2005, when he beat Guillermo Coria. He also reached the final twice in 2013 and 2015 losing to Novak Djokovic both times.
Isner will be looking to beat Nadal for the first time in his six head-to-head matches against the Spanish player, although he won a recent clash in the Laver Cup last September. The US player has reached the quarter final on all of his five appearances in the Chinese ATP 500 tournament.
