Stars shine in Beijing
Top dogs Djokovic and Nadal cruise into 2nd round with easy wins
BEIJING: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal — vying for the world's top ranking — powered through their openers at the China Open on Tuesday but women's top seed Serena Williams stumbled her way into the third round.
Djokovic signalled his intent to reclaim the title he won in the Chinese capital last year, sweeping aside Lukas Rosol 6-0, 6-3. The Serbian world No 1 —and top seed — defeated his Czech challenger in just 53 minutes.
Nadal, who could unseat Djokovic in the world rankings depending what happens in Beijing, faced slightly more resistance from Santiago Giraldo, with the Spaniard claiming a 6-2, 6-4 win in about 90 minutes.
"Today is an important victory for me against an important opponent like Giraldo," Nadal said. "If I'm able to keep playing well every day and at the same level I will have the chance to be there, to be number one in the future."
The second seed will now face German Philipp Kohlschreiber, while Djokovic will meet Fernando Verdasco in the second round.
SERENA STRUGGLES
In the women's draw Williams, the world No 1, only showed rare moments of her trademark power-play and at times appeared agitated as she overcame Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-5 in her second-round match.
The American gained the upper hand in the first set via a mistake from her opponent, who double-faulted on set point.
But Williams was forced to become more aggressive in the second set after her serve was broken in the first game by Schiavone, Italy's first Grand Slam winner, at Roland Garros in 2010, and the current world number 50.
As the competition intensified both players' tempers threatened to boil over, with Williams ranting and Schiavone smashing balls into the barriers at the side of the court.
But Williams seemed calmer and quieter as she closed in on a hard-earned victory.
"I was able to save some energy, so I started walking slower and taking my time more. When I did that, I actually won three or four games in a row," she said.
She will face Maria Kirilenko in the next round.
SOMDEV, BHUPATHI OUT Somdev Devvarman put up a valiant fight before going down to Verdasco while Mahesh Bhupathi yet again stumbled in the doubles first round as the two Indians bowed out of the ATP China Open.
The 97th-ranked Somdev saved as many as nine break chances, but lost the battle 6-7 (6) 3-6 in one hour and 34 minutes.
In the doubles event, Bhupathi failed to cross the first round hurdle as he and his Swedish partner Robert Lindstedt suffered a straight sets defeat against Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka.
The second seeded Bhupathi and Lindstedt lost 3-6 3-6 in one hour and three minutes.
India's challenge is still alive as top seeds Leander Paes and his Daniel Nestor face John Isner and Sam Querrey.