Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Jared Donaldson of the US at 2017 ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters in Shanghai, Oct 11, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Following Nadal played in the central court was world No 2 Roger Federer, who went through a tight match against world No 26 Schwartzman of Argentina.

It was the Swiss legend's fisrt match since his US Open quarter-finals loss to Juan Martin del Potro in September. The 19-time Grand Slam winner converted a break point in the sixth game of the first set, but was broken back right away in the seventh.

The two players fight into the tiebreak in the first set and it was 36-year-old Federer showed his dominance, winning 5 points in a row to take a one-set lead.

The second seed continued his form in the second set, breaking to love in the first game and eventually close the set 6-4, cruising to his first win in Shanghai after 2015.

Awaiting for Federer in the third round is Ukraine's Alexander Dolgopolov, who beat Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-4.

In the other actions, third seed Dimitrov recovered from a 2-4 deficit in the decider and fought back from 6-3 in the tie-break, saving three match points to defeat American Ryan Harrison 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a 154-minute fight.

Dimitrov will next meet Sam Querrey, ranking 11th position in the Emirates ATP Race To London, who beat fellow American qualifier Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 7-6(7) on Wednesday.