Rafael Nadal breezed into the quarter finals of the Shanghai Masters ©Getty Images

World number one Rafael Nadal breezed into the quarter finals of the Shanghai Masters today.

The Spaniard eased past Fabio Fognini of Italy in the Chinese city, winning 6-3, 6-1 at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena.

Nadal, the top seed, will now face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight of the Association of Tennis Professionals Masters 1000 tournament tomorrow.

Dimitrov ousted American Sam Querrey today, 6-3, 7-6.

Swiss icon Roger Federer is also still in contention for the title after a fine display.

Juan Martin del Potro came from behind to make the quarter-finals ©Getty Images
Juan Martin del Potro came from behind to make the quarter-finals ©Getty Images

He brushed aside Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine with a 6-2, 6-3 success.

The second seed's reward is a tie with unseeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Marin Čilić of Croatia progressed with a 7-6, 6-4 win over American Steve Johnson.

Argentina's Juan Martín del Potro came from behind to oust German third seed Alexander Zverev.

The Argentine won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.