No. 1s Djokovic, Serena advance at China Open

[October 01, 2013]  BEIJING (AP) -- Top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams advanced with straight-set victories Tuesday at the China Open, while Venus Williams was eliminated.

Defending champion Djokovic beat Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic 6-0, 6-3 in the first round, while Serena Williams downed Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-5 in the second round.

Venus Williams, a wild-card entry, fell to Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-1, 6-2. Lisicki didn't face a break point and broke Williams three times.

Djokovic's run of 100 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings is in danger this week from Rafael Nadal, who defeated Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-2, 6-4. Nadal will take the No. 1 spot if he reaches the final.

Djokovic will play Fernando Verdasco in the second round after the Spaniard beat Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman 7-6 (6), 6-3. Nadal's second-round opponent will be Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

In other men's matches. fifth-seeded Richard Gasquet beat Florian Mayer 6-3, 7-6 (2); No. 6 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland overcame Andreas Seppi 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, and No. 8 John Isner came back to down China's Di Wu 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Former women's No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki beat Monica Niculescu of Romania 6-3, 6-1 to remain on course to face Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.