2015 China Open: Nadal wary of Sock’s serve

Rafael Nadal booked a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2015 China Open after scoring straight-sets victory over Vasek Pospisil on Wednesday 7-6(3) 6-4. Nadal will play American Jack Sock in the quarterfinals.

Playing in the Chinese capital in his bid to win a second title, Nadal anticipates a tough game against Sock, who beat Andreas Haider-Maurer to advance 6-3 6-1. Nadal believes that Sock is in fine form ahead of their quarterfinal clash at the China Open.

“He’s young, very good player, aggressive, with a fantastic serve,” Nadal said. “Very, very strong forehand, going to be a big opponent - I need to play better than today even.”

Third seed Nadal first met Sock in their lone encounter at the 2015 French Open. The Spanish tennis star outplayed the 30th-ranked American in four sets, 6-3 6-1 5-7 6-2, during the fourth round of the said grand slam tournament.

Nadal is one of the returning champions at the China Open, having had won the title in 2005. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is also taking part in the event. The top seed Serb also cruised past his opening round to set up a second-round clash with Chinese wild card Ze Zhang.

In other matches, fourth seed David Ferrer beat Lukas Rosol in straight sets to clinch a spot in the last eight 7-6(5) 6-2. Ferrer will play wildcard Ye-hsun Lu, who defeated Viktor Troicki 6-4 7-5.

Meanwhile, the third round in women’s singles is already underway. Fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska advanced against her opponent, Madison Keys, who retired in the match with a thigh injury. The Polish athlete was leading when Keys abandoned the match. Radwanska will play Angelique Kerber for a place in the final four. Kerber previously upset Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-3 to advance.

Timea Bacsinszky also scored another upset in the tournament after beating seventh seed Carla Suarez-Navarro 6-4 4-6 7-5. Bacsinszky will meet Sara Errani, who defeated Sam Stosur’s conqueror, Andrea Petkovic, 3-6 6-3 6-2.

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