Rafael Nadal breezes into quarter-finals in Beijing

Rafael Nadal has recorded a straight-sets win over Karen Khachanov to move through to the China Open quarter-finals.

The US Open champion is looking to maintain his place at the top of the world rankings ahead of November's ATP World Tour Finals, and he has moved a step closer with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Khachanov.

The pair created as many as eight break points between them during the opening set, but Nadal's solitary break was enough to edge closer to the last eight.

Khachanov also had joy on the left-hander's serve during the second, but three chances were wasted and Nadal was able to take full advantage.

Nadal struck twice more in order to seal his win in just under one-and-a-half hours, and the Spaniard will now go on to play big-serving John Isner in the next round.