Nadal, Dimitrov Advance To QF Clash In Rainy Beijing; Murray Faces Edmund

Former champion Rafael Nadal hung on to deny Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 7-6(6) to reach the quarterfinals at the Beijing China Open.

“I think I played a fantastic first set. Great level of tennis, serving very good, hitting so good. During the second set, I slowed the rhythm a little bit and he played very well,” said Nadal. “I feel very happy that I won that tie-break. I think I played with the right amount of determination in the tie-break. It’s very important for my confidence to pass through these tough moments.”

Nadal, who won the title in 2005 and made the final in 2013, will now take on Grigor Dimitrov.

“He’s a great player that is playing well. He’s one of the players on tour with high potential,” said Nadal. “I know I have to play my best tennis to win against him, so I’m trying to focus on that.”

Dimitrov advanced in three sets over US Open and Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lucas Pouille 6-7(3), 7-6(0), 6-4. Pouille served for the match in the second set at 5-4, 30-15 but couldn’t close it out.

“I just believed today,” said Dimitrov. “Especially in the second set, when he was serving for the match. I felt I was playing good tennis. I just missed a few opportunities early on and throughout the second he was playing really good. All I could do was stay composed, try to hit every ball that I could and use every opportunity. They came a bit late, but I’m pretty happy with it.”

Nadal has won all seven matches against the Bulgarian.

“He is a great player,” Nadal said of Dimitrov. “He is a player that is playing well. He is one of the players with high potential on the tour. I prepare the match the same like every day. I know I have to play my best tennis to win against a player like him. I am focus on try to do that.”

Because of rain, Nadal and Dimitrov were the only second round matches completed on the day.

Milos Raonic, Alexander Zverev and others will be forced to play two matches on Friday. Andy Murray will meet countryman and qualifier Kyle Edmund.

“Like the day of the match, it’s always a little bit uncomfortable because normally when you see your friends and stuff in the locker room, you have a chat, joke around a bit,” Murray said of facing a friend like Edmund. “But on match days, it always tends to be a little bit more serious.

“Once you get out on the court and start competing, it’s fine. After the match, again, it’s always fine. But it’s just sort of the couple hours before when you see each other in the locker room, it can be a little bit uncomfortable.”

FRIDAY BEIJING SCHEDULE
NATIONAL TENNIS STADIUM start 10:00 am
ATP – M. Jaziri (TUN) vs [3] M. Raonic (CAN)

Not Before 12:30 pm
WTA – [8] M. Keys (USA) vs [14] P. Kvitova (CZE)
ATP – [1] A. Murray (GBR) vs [Q] K. Edmund (GBR)

Not Before 4:30 pm
WTA – [11] J. Konta (GBR) vs S. Zhang (CHN)

Not Before 7:30 pm
ATP – G. Dimitrov (BUL) vs [2] R. Nadal (ESP)

Not Before 9:00 pm
WTA – [3] A. Radwanska (POL) vs A. Cornet (FRA) or Y. Shvedova (KAZ)

LOTUS COURT start 10:00 am
ATP – [8] R. Gasquet (FRA) vs P. Carreno Busta (ESP) 75 24

Not Before 12:30 pm
ATP – A. Zverev (GER) vs [5] D. Ferrer (ESP)

Not Before 2:30 pm
WTA – [16] E. Svitolina (UKR) vs D. Gavrilova (AUS)

Not Before 4:30 pm
ATP – [8] R. Gasquet (FRA) or P. Carreno Busta (ESP) vs M. Jaziri (TUN) or [3] M. Raonic (CAN)