Rafael Nadal’s comeback tournament continued on Thursday as the world No. 2 defeated Peter Gojowyczk 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the China Open. Nadal saved all three of the break points he faced to book a spot in the quarterfinals after one hour and 45 minutes of play.
Following a first set in which he lost only five points in five service games, Nadal encountered an inspired Gojowyczk throughout the final 10 games. The underdog German served at just 48 percent in the second set but fought off six of seven break points to make things extremely competitive.
“In general I need to improve,” Nadal admitted. “It’s obvious. My serve worked well today. But in general I need more rhythm on the legs; more rhythm on the shots. I am playing okay, trying to not miss a lot; trying to play with not too many risks. That’s what I did today. It’s the only way to have rhythm.”
As for the two U.S. Open finalists, they are having no trouble where they left off in New York. Champion Marin Cilic is through to the Beijing quarterfinals and runner-up Kei Nishikori has advanced to the last eight at the Rakuten Japan Open. Cilic took care of Joao Sousa 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday, while Nishikori got past Donald Young 6-4, 7-6(4) in his quarterfinal match.
Cilic dropped only 10 service points in the entire match as he defeated Sousa in just one hour and 11 minutes. The Croat had to save two break points in the second set, but he manged to do it before wrapping things up in style at 5-3 with his third break of the day.
Joining Cilic in the quarterfinals are Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, Tomas Berdych, Martin Klizan, and Rafael Nadal. None of the winners needed a third set to advance. Dimtirov rolled over Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-4 to ensure a showdown against Novak Djokovic, who got in his second-rounder on a rain-soaked Wednesday by taking out Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5.
Joining Cilic in the quarterfinals are Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, Tomas Berdych, Martin Klizan, and Rafael Nadal. None of the winners needed a third set to advance. Dimtirov rolled over Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-4 to ensure a showdown against Novak Djokovic, who got in his second-rounder on a rain-soaked Wednesday by taking out Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5.
Young did well to give Nishikori a real test in front of the favorite’s home crowd in Tokyo. The American even had a set point in the second, but it came on Nishikori’s serve and the Japanese sensation saved it at 5-6, ad-out. Tokyo’s No. 4 seed eventually seized a mini-break at 5-4 in the tiebreaker that proved to be decisive.
Also moving on to the quarterfinals are Jeremy Chardy, Denis Istomin, and Milos Raonic. Chardy ousted seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson, Istomin came up with a miraculous shot on match point to beat Michal Przysiezny, and Raonic made quick work of Jurgen Melzer.
Also moving on to the quarterfinals are Jeremy Chardy, Denis Istomin, and Milos Raonic. Chardy ousted seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson, Istomin came up with a miraculous shot on match point to beat Michal Przysiezny, and Raonic made quick work of Jurgen Melzer.
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