By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Beijing, China (SportsNetwork.com) - Second-seeded Rafael Nadal and towering American John Isner were among Wednesday's second-round winners at the $2.315 million China Open.
The 2005 Beijing titlist Nadal handled capable German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in just under two hours in the Day-3 nightcap on the hardcourts at the National Tennis Center.
The U.S. and French Open champion Nadal would supplant Novak Djokovic atop the men's rankings should he reach the final this week. The super Spaniard already owns a whopping 11 titles on tour this year and is currently riding a 19-match winning streak.
His quarterfinal opponent on Friday will be Italian Fabio Fognini, who tamed former world No. 1 star Lleyton Hewitt, a wild card this week, 6-0, 6-2.
The 6-foot-9 eighth-seeded Isner moved on by holding off game Spanish qualifier Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4.
Isner's quarterfinal opponent will be fourth-seeded Czech slugger and 2011 Beijing champion Tomas Berdych, who received a walkover into the round of eight when Russian veteran Nikolay Davydenko pulled out of the draw with a right wrist injury. The former Wimbledon runner-up Berdych was a finalist in Bangkok last week.
The current world No. 1 Djokovic will play his second-round match against Spaniard Fernando Verdasco on Thursday. Djokovic is the reigning China Open champ and a three-time overall winner in Beijing.
The 2013 Beijing titlist will earn $557,100.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nadal-isner-reach-china-open-quarters