Nadal and Djokovic through to last eight at China Open

Rafael Nadal took another step towards regaining the number one ranking with a hard-fought win over Philipp Kohlschreiber at the China Open.

The 27-year-old Spaniard won 6-4 7-6 (7-3) to set up a quarter-final against Italy’s Fabio Fognini in Beijing.

Nadal, who beat Kohlschreiber on his way to victory at the US Open last month, was tested again by the German as they played out a thrilling four sets before Nadal came winner eventually at China’s National Tennis Centre.

In other games, Novak Djokovic also overcame a second set meltdown to beat Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-5 2-6 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the China Open on Thursday, keeping alive his hopes of clinging on to his world number one ranking.

The defending champion, aiming for his fourth China Open title in five years after missing the 2011 tournament through injury, will lose the top spot next week if Spaniard Rafa Nadal reaches the final in Beijing