Novak
Djokovic clung on to his world number one ranking by beating Spain's Fernando Verdasco
in the second round of the China Open in Beijing.
Defeat
for the Serb would have enabled Rafael Nadal to replace him at the top of the
rankings, but Djokovic overcame a blip to beat Verdasco 7-5 2-6 6-2.
The
26-year-old will face American Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals.
“The
rankings will change. They change all the time. Over the years that has been
the case” Novak Djokovic
In the
women's draw, there were victories for top seed Serena Williams and third seed
Agnieszka Radwanska.
Radwanska
saw off Slovenian qualifier Polona Hercog 6-0 6-2 to set up a quarter-final tie
with Germany's Angelique Kerber, who beat Italian Roberta Vinci 6-2 6-4.
World
number one Williams recovered from going a break down in both sets to secure a
7-5 7-5 third-round win over Russian Maria Kirilenko.
Djokovic
will be usurped by Nadal at the top of the men's rankings should the Spaniard
reach the final - or if Djokovic fails to win the title.
Djokovic
easily grabbed the opening set 7-5, but was in trouble in the second as he was
broken twice, allowing Verdasco to level the match.
The
Australian Open champion admitted he lacked concentration mid-way through the
match before going on to seal victory in one hour and 54 minutes.
"I
had some chances in the start of the second set and I managed to allow him to
come back to the match and start playing well," said Djokovic.
"I
try to do what I need to do and that is to win the matches.
"The
rankings will change. They change all the time. Over the years that has been
the case. You can't think too much about it."
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