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John Isner: can he take down Rafael Nadal for the first time?

By Harry Floyd

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - SEPTEMBER 24: John Isner and Jack Sock of Team World celebrate during there mens doubles match between Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic of Team Europe on the final day of the Laver cup on September 24, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - SEPTEMBER 24: John Isner and Jack Sock of Team World celebrate during there mens doubles match between Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic of Team Europe on the final day of the Laver cup on September 24, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup) /
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John Isner is seeking his first ever ATP win over world No. 1 Rafael Nadal. The two square off in Beijing for the China Open quarterfinals.

John Isner and Rafael Nadal both ease into the quarterfinals in Beijing.

Nadal, a former champion at the ATP World Tour event, is the top seed this week in Beijing. Isner, on the other hand, is the sixth seed. The American will seek his first ever win in an ATP contest against the world No. 1.

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Earlier this year, the American tennis star did defeat Nadal at the Laver Cup. In a hard fought 7-5, 7-6 win over Nadal, Isner proved that he can hang with the very best in men’s singles tennis.

Rafael Nadal is 6-0 against John Isner in ATP singles contests.

The two tennis players have played sporadically on tour throughout the years. Their most recent ATP contest dates back to Rome 2015. With both on top of their game right now, anything can happen in the Beijing quarterfinals.

Nadal is fresh off of a win over Karen Khachanov of Russia. He takes his round of 16 match with ease, winning 6-3, 6-3. Isner is also coming off of a dominant win in the round of 16. He defeats Leonardo Mayer 6-0, 6-3. Both the Spanish superstar and the towering American veteran are capable of making a title run this week in Beijing. Throw their ATP history out the door as there is no doubt that neither player is taking the match lightly.

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Also into the quarterfinals is young Australian star Nick Kyrgios. He has seen intermittent play and ups and downs on the 2017 ATP World Tour. His week in Beijing, however, has once again reminded the sport of what he can bring any tournament. Kyrgios faces Steve Darcis of Belgium.

Third seed Grigor Dimitrov also squares off against fifth seed Roberto Bautista Agut in their quarterfinals match. With so many top players into the quarterfinals, action in Beijing is setting up for a thrilling finish. Stay tuned to see if American John Isner can continue his run at the China Open as he takes on world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

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