Rafa wins another close match.
by bahamaderek on Oct.08, 2009, under James Blake, Marat Safin, Rafael Nadal
Top seed Rafael Nadal was pushed all the way by American James Blake at the China Open on Thursday.
Playing his first tournament since the US Open, a late break saw the Spaniard take the first set 7-5 and, after dropping the second on a tie-break, a single break was enough to see him wrap up the decider 6-3 and set up a clash with Marat Safin.
The former world number one from Russia needed just one hour and nine minutes to upset seventh seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 6-4.
Meanwhile, Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic battled past Lukasz Kubot in three tight sets, winning 7-6 (8/6) 4-6 6-4 despite the Polish qualifier’s stunning first-serve percentage of 83.
In the day’s final match, sixth seed Robin Soderling saw off Spain’s Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 20 minutes.
He will face Ljubicic in Friday’s third quarter-final.
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