Novak Djokovic serves up China Open quarter-final spot

Djokovic beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5

(AFP/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic maintained his perfect China Open record as he powered into the quarter-finals, but Caroline Wozniacki’s hopes of qualifying for the year-ending WTA Finals in Singapore took a hit after she lost in Beijing.

World No 1 Djokovic needed 85 minutes to overcome Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5, keeping him on course for a fifth China Open title. He broke the big-serving Pospisil four times and lost only six points on his first serve in a dominant display that boosted his hopes of securing the top ranking at the end of the year.

“You work all your life and you dream about becoming the No 1 in the world,” the Serb said. “It’s definitely always the highest priority [along] with winning Grand Slams. That’s why I’m here in Beijing and Shanghai, competing and trying to get that year-end No 1.”

Fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov is in line to meet Djokovic in the quarter-finals if he beats Spaniard Pablo Andujar, although rain had disrupted his match yesterday.

Samantha Stosur showed flashes of her old brilliance to beat Wozniacki 6-4, 7-6 as the Australian advanced to the third round. Former world No 1 Wozniacki needed to win the Beijing title to make certain of qualifying for Singapore, but Stosur broke her in the seventh game and went on to claim the first set. She saved five set points in the tie-break before closing the match out.

Stosur’s third-round opponent will be Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet, who outplayed Lauren Davis 6-2, 6-1.

Third seed Petra Kvitova, the latest player to qualify for the eight-woman season finale, beat local favourite Peng Shuai 6-4, 6-2 and will now play Venus Williams.

Her sister Serena Williams, Russia’s Maria Sharapova and Romania’s Simona Halep are the other three players guaranteed spots in Singapore.