The world No1 is on course to win his first Beijing Open title since 2005 after beating Lucas Pouille in the first round.
But it was no easy ride against the Frenchman with Nadal having to come from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6, 7-5.
Khachanov faced wild-card Di Wu in the opening round and was in scintilating form, recording a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
But Nadal will prove a completely different test for the young Russian star who has won five ATP singles titles this year, including the French Open and US Open.
Here is how you can keep up with the action.
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FOLLOW ALL THE RESULTS FROM THE CHINA OPEN BY CLICKING THIS LINK
When does Rafael Nadal faces Karen Khachanov?
The match is scheduled as third on the main court – the National Tennis Stadium – today.
Play is scheduled to begin at 9.30am BST, 4.30pm local time.
The pair have only met on occasions previously, in this year’s Wimbledon tournament, with Nadal coming out on top 6-1, 6-4, 7-6.
How to watch Rafael Nadal vs Karen Khachanov
The China Open is being broadcast by BT Sport and Sky Sports in the UK.
Between Monday and Friday the tournament is broadcast on BT Sport 1 (Sky 413) from 5.30am each day. On Saturday and Sunday that changes to BT Sport 2 (Sky 414) from 7.30am and 7am respectively.
It is also being shown on Sky Sports Action and Sky’s Main Event channel.
Sky’s coverage begins at 5.30am on Wednesday and runs on the Main Event change as well as Sky Sports Action.
Watch the China Open live online
You can live stream the China Open online if you are a BT Sport subscriber.
BT Sport will also be showing the China Open on desktop computers or laptops via the company’s own site.
The BT Sport website, is available to download now on iOS, Android and Windows 10 devices, provided you have a BT ID.
Unfortunately you are unable to beam BT Sport content from your device to a TV via a Google Chromecast, unless you’re also a BT broadband customer.
The BT Sport enhanced video player is also available online.
Sky TV and Virgin Media customers can also tune into BT Sport 1, via channel 413 and 531 respectively. The BT channel number is 408.
If you are a Sky customer all the action can be followed on your desktop or laptop via the Sky Go app, which if you’re an existing customer, is also available on iOS and Android smartphone and tablet devices.
Sky Go is also available on a number of platforms including Amazon Fire devices, iPad, Mac computers and laptops, Playstation 3, PS4 and Xbox One.
The Sky Sports app, available to download on iOS and Android devices, will also be providing live text coverage and updates.