World number two Rafael Nadal has progressed into the quarter finals of the Chinese Open in Beijing after victory over US star James Blake. The Spaniard won 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 and joins fellow heavyweight Novak Djokovic in the last eight. Djokovic had earlier dispatched fellow Serb Viktor Troicki in emphatic fashion. After breaking in the first set to go 5-3 up, the fourth seed one seven games on the spin to record a straight sets victory.

The competition is still fife with quality in the latter stages despite the withdrawal of third seed Andy Murray through injury, as Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco, both in the top ten in the world booked their places in the quarters. Davydenko strolled past Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-1 6-0 in less than an hour, while Verdasco beat his Spanish compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero to progress.

USAÂ's Andy Roddick will be hugely disappointed not to add his name to the quarter final roster as he surprisingly bowed out in the first round. The reigning Chinese Open champion and Wimbledon finalist was embarrassed 6-2 6-4 by PolandÂ's Lukasz Kubot. Roddick conceded that tactical experiments may have contributed to his loss but let himself down in the manner of the defeat. Juan Martin Del Potro, currently enjoying a superb run of form also suffered a shock first round reversal. The US Open champion was dumped out by FranceÂ's Edouard Roger-Vasselin, ranked a lowly 189 in the world.

Understandably Nadal (11/10) and Djokovic (3/1) are big favorites to win the competition. However it is definitely worth looking around at a couple of outsiders for real value. The Chinese Open is blessed with a highly competitive roster of players and y with Federer and Murray out and with Nadal in a period of convalescence, the competition is wide open.

The impressive Croatian Marin Cilic plays Davydenko in the quarters and looks good at 12/1. Verdasco also is a potential winner and is a good shout at 10/1 if you think he can get past Djokovic, who he faces next. Interestingly Russian veteran Marit Safin is priced at 50/1 to win and is playing with no pressure after announcing his retirement at the end of the year. He definitely has pedigree and has more chance of winning than his odds suggest. (Odds from SkyBet.com)

Dan Stephens