Rafael Nadal sees off Adrian Mannarino to reach China Open quarter-final
Thursday 6 October 2016 18:11, UK
Second seed Rafael Nadal survived a tense second set to overcome Adrian Mannarino 6-1 7-6 (8-6) in the China Open.
Nadal broke Frenchman Mannarino three times in the opening set as he cruised ahead under the lights in Beijing, dropping just two of the opening 11 games.
However, Mannarino came back from 1-3 down in the second set to level things up and force a tie-break.
Nadal held his nerve though, despite failing to capitalise on a 5-3 lead in the tie-break, eventually closing it out 8-6.
"I think I played a fantastic first set. Great level of tennis, serving very good, hitting so good. During the second set, I slowed the rhythm a little bit and he played very well," Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, told reporters.
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"I think I played with the right amount of determination in the tie-break. It's very important for my confidence to pass through these tough moments."
The Spaniard will now face Grigor Dimitrov in the final eight, who overcame sixth-seed Lucas Pouille 6-7 7-6 6-4 to book his quarter-final place.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray will face fellow Briton Kyle Edmund in another of the quarter-finals early on Friday morning, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
British No 1 Murray beat Andrey Kuznetsov 6-2 6-1, while Edmund saw off Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 4-6 6-4 to book the all British affair.
