Djokovic and Nadal advance in straight sets at China Open
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – vying for the world’s top ranking – powered through their openers at the China Open on Tuesday but women’s top seed Serena Williams stumbled her way into the third round.
Djokovic signalled his intent to reclaim the title he won in the Chinese capital last year, sweeping aside Lukas Rosol 6-0, 6-3. The Serbian world number one – and top seed – defeated his Czech challenger in just 53 minutes.
Nadal, who could unseat Djokovic in the world rankings depending what happens in Beijing, faced slightly more resistance from Santiago Giraldo, with the Spaniard claiming a 6-2, 6-4 win in about 90 minutes.
“Today is an important victory for me against an important opponent like Giraldo,” Nadal said. “If I’m able to keep playing well every day and at the same level I will have the chance to be there, to be number one in the future.”
The second seed will now face German Philipp Kohlschreiber, while Djokovic will meet Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in the second round.
Third seed David Ferrer won his opening match against Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), setting up a second-round clash with Marinko Matosevic, who beat France’s Julien Benneteau 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
Eighth seed American John Isner beat crowd favourite Wu Di of China 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
If I’m able to keep playing well every day and at the same level I will have the chance to be there, to be number one in the future
In the women’s draw Williams, the world number one, only showed rare moments of her trademark power-play and at times appeared agitated as she overcame Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-5 in her second-round match.
The American gained the upper hand in the first set via a mistake from her opponent, who double-faulted on set point.
But Williams was forced to become more aggressive in the second set after her serve was broken in the first game by Schiavone, Italy’s first grand slam winner, at Roland Garros in 2010, and the current world number 50.
As the competition intensified both players’ tempers threatened to boil over, with Williams ranting and Schiavone smashing balls into the barriers at the side of the court.
But Williams seemed calmer – and quieter – as she closed in on a hard-earned victory.
“I was able to save some energy, so I started walking slower and taking my time more. When I did that, I actually won three or four games in a row,” she said.
Williams will face Maria Kirilenko in the next round after the Russian beat Urszula Radwanska 6-4, 6-4.
It was another storming performance from Chinese star Li Na, who swept aside Serbian Bojana Jovanovski 6-0, 6-1.
The 31-year-old fourth seed and crowd favourite said she felt under less pressure this year, after twice failing to get past the semi-final stage previously at China’s biggest tennis tournament.
The 2011 French Open winner’s decisive victory earns her a last-16 tie against Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki.
Meanwhile, Venus Williams, a wild-card entry, fell to Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-1, 6-2. Lisicki didn’t face a break point and broke Williams three times.
