October 2, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
Rafael Nadal took another step toward taking over the world number one ranking on Wednesday at the 2013 China Open with a 6-4, 7-6(3) win over Philipp Kohlschreiber to advance to the quarterfinals. The current world number two could return to the top spot for the first time since July 2011 if he reaches the final in Beijing.
Nadal twice squandered a break advantage in the early stages of the first set before then saving a break point in the ninth game. The Spaniard regrouped to break Kohlschreiber in the following game, securing the set as Kohlschreiber hit a long forehand. Nadal then prevailed in the second set tie-break in one hour and 55 minutes.
"Today the serve, in my opinion, helped in the important moments," said Nadal. "But it’s true that his level of tennis I think was just brilliant tonight. I won because I played a great match. If not, I would not be here with a victory."
Nadal will next face Fabio Fognini in the quarterfinals, after Fognini defeated Lleyton Hewitt, 6-0, 6-2. Nadal is bidding to win his 11th ATPTour-level title of the season, losing just three matches in 13 tournaments and is on a 19-match winning streak since suffering a first-round defeat at Wimbledon in June.
