After competing in the 2013 U.S. Open and winning the coveted championship title, Rafael Nadal is now participating as one of the top contenders in the China Open, along with Novak Djokovic and other top tennis players in the world. The Spanish professional tennis player could only hope that his performance brings him to the finals of the said tournament and have a chance to get to the top of the world's rankings.

When Nadal won the 2013 U.S. Open Championship title, a lot of people thought that Novak Djokovic will lose his No 1 ranking to him. Well, it probably is almost gone already. Thus, in order for Djokovic to keep and retain his World No 1 title, he needs to win the China Open and let Nadal yield before the finals.

However, Nadal is out to win as well. After a seven-month-long break due to an injury, Nadal has already won 10 titles and only lost three matches. He has crushed the entire tour. He's just as fit and in good physical shape as he has been in many years.

Djokovic's number one rival is definitely showing that he can play better than he ever has. Surely, Djokovic will take on the challenge and even use Nadal's performance to motivate him to strive more.

Nadal will play against Santiago Giraldo from Columbia on Tuesday in Beijing. If he succeeds and gets to the finals, he might really own the World No 1 title soon. "It will be very hard but I hope to have my chance here and in the coming weeks," Nadal said. On the other hand, Djokovic will be facing Lukas Rosol.

Novak Djokovic has already won the Men's Singles category more than once in the China Open for the years 2009, 2010 and 2012. Rafael Nadal has won the title once in 2005. Who do you think will win this time around? Who has the edge, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic?

Even if Djokovic wins the China Open championship title, Nadal could get the World No 1 rank if he reaches the finals, at the very least.