By Chris Oddo | Thursday October 6, 2016

Grigor Dimitrov edged past Frenchman Lucas Pouille to set a quarterfinal clash with Rafael Nadal on Thursday in rainy Beijing.

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The matchup has not been a favorable one for Dimitrov, who owns a 0-7 record against Nadal, but the Bulgarian will take confidence from a strong comeback victory over Pouille on Thursday. The World No.20 rallied from a set and break down, staving off defeat despite the fact that Pouille was serving at 5-4, 30-15 in set two, just two points from victory. But three consecutive shaky points from Pouille gave Dimitrov the window he needed and he capitalized, blanking the Frenchman in the second-set tiebreaker then notching the only break of the third set before clinching a 6-7(3), 7-6(0), 6-4 victory.

Dimitrov improves to 14-5 since joining forced with coach Dani Vallverdu.

Nadal’s test wasn’t quite as strenuous, but he was made to work in the second set of his 6-1, 7-6(6) victory over France’s Adrian Mannarino.

Mannarino rallied from a break down in set two and pushed Nadal in the tiebreaker before finally succumbing in one hour and 51 minutes.

2005 Beijing champion Nadal improves to 39-12 on the season and 20-4 lifetime in Beijing with the win.

He is holding on to the No.7 spot in the Race to London standings, with just under 400 points between himself and No. 9 Tomas Berdych as the week began.

“I think I played a fantastic first set. Great level of tennis, serving very good, hitting so good. During the second set, I slowed the rhythm a little bit and he played very well,” Nadal said, according to ATPWorldTour.com. “I feel very happy that I won that tie-break. I think I played with the right amount of determination in the tie-break. It’s very important for my confidence to pass through these tough moments.”