Safin, Nadal set up quarterfinal showdown

Top seed Rafael Nadal will take on former world No 1 Marat Safin of Russia in the quarterfinals of the China Open after the fan favorites edged their opponents to advance to the round of eight yesterday.

World No 2 Nadal beat hard-hitting James Blake of the US 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 while Safin, who is winding up his career, defeated Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, 6-3, 6-4.

Safin, the Russian wild card, dominated his match with six aces in each set.