Rafael Nadal of Spain eyes on the ball as he plays against Santiago Giraldo of Colombia during their match of the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, China Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS2013)
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round of the China Open on Wednesday after beating Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Nadal could replace Noavk Djokovic as the top player in the world – and end his run of 100 weeks at the top of the ATP ranking – if he qualifies for the final.
Chinese star Li Na reached the quarterfinals by edging Sabine Lisicki 7-5, 6-4 on Wednesday.
American John Isner defeated Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-4, and Fabio Fognini of Italy routed Lleyton Hewitt 6-0, 6-2.
Li broke Lisicki twice in each set, overcoming seven double-faults and holding off six of eight break chances. Fifth-ranked Li, who reached the semifinals in 2010 and 2012 in Beijing, will face No. 7 Petra Kvitova.
Kvitova beat Sara Errani of Italy 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in a match that featured 19 breaks of serve. Li holds a 3-2 record against Kvitova.
Former champions Agnieszka Radwanska (2011) and Jelena Jankovic (2008) won their second-round matches. Fourth-ranked Radwanska defeated American Madison Keys 6-3, 6-2, and 11th-ranked Jankovic stopped Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Two-time former winner Svetlana Kuznetsova lost to Andrea Petkovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Polish qualifier Polana Hercog ousted Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-4 and will play Radwanska for a spot in the last eight.
Based on reporting by The Associated Press.
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