NADAL STILL ON A ROLL AT CHINA OPEN, TO FACE KLIZAN IN QUARTERFINALS ON FRIDAY BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 2nd October 2014

NADAL STILL ON A ROLL AT CHINA OPEN, TO FACE KLIZAN IN QUARTERFINALS ON FRIDAY BY RICKY DIMON

epa04427655 Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during a men's second round singles match against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 02 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA |

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.

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Peter Gojowczyk of Germany during their men’s second round singles match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 02 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

“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.”

Nadal will look to maintain momentum when he goes up against Martin Klizan for the third time on Friday. Interestingly, their two previous meetings have resulted in the exact same scoreline. The 14-time major champion prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 at last season’s French Open and 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 this summer in the Wimbledon first round.

Due to a wrist injury, this is Nadal’s first appearance since his fourth-round exit at the All-England Club.

Klizan, meanwhile, has been on a roll since coming within one game of a straight-set defeat in the first round of Beijing qualifying. At that point he lost only five games in more than three sets of qualifying then survived a tough three-setter against Leonardo Mayer. The 56th-ranked Slovak was dominating his second-rounder against Ernests Gulbis on Thursday when the Latvian retired during the second set.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Beijing, China Open, Ernests Gulbis, Leonardo Mayer, Martin Klizan, Rafa, Ricky Dimon, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

October 2, 2014 at 9:34 am

@RafaelNadal STILL ON A ROLL AT #CHINAOPEN, TO FACE KLIZAN IN #QUARTERFINALS ON FRIDAY BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/ZKj6u5rh8r #tennis
RD_Tennistalk says:

October 2, 2014 at 9:42 am

RT @10sBalls_com: @RafaelNadal STILL ON A ROLL AT #CHINAOPEN, TO FACE KLIZAN IN #QUARTERFINALS ON FRIDAY BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/ZKj…
cheeers1 says:

October 2, 2014 at 9:50 am

“.. (Klizan) survived a tough three-setter against Leonardo Mayer.” http://t.co/YLVOy7SF78