Djokovic and Nadal sail through

BEIJING: Men's favourites Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal powered through their opening matches in the China Open on Tuesday.

Djokovic signalled his intent to reclaim the title he won in the Chinese capital last year, sweeping aside Lukas Rosol 6-0, 6-3.

The Serbian world number one -- and top seed -- dumped out his Czech challenger in just 53 minutes.

Nadal, who could unseat Djokovic in the world rankings after Beijing, faced slightly more resistance from Santiago Giraldo, with the Spaniard claiming a 6-2, 6-4 win in about 90 minutes.

The second seed will now face German Philipp Kohlschreiber, while Djokovic will meet Spain's Fernando Verdasco in the second round.

Fifth seed Richard Gasquet and sixth seed Stanislas Wawrinka both safely negotiated their way through.

France's Gasquet defeated Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), while Switzerland's Wawrinka needed three sets to overcome Italian Andreas Seppi 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Verdasco claimed victory over Somdev Devvarman of India 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 and American Sam Querrey defeated Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. (AFP)