Novak Djokovic brushes aside Rafael Nadal to win China Open

A jittery Nadal, who has slumped to eight in the world following injury and a dip in form, wasted three match points before securing victory and a spot in Sunday’s final against world number one Novak Djokovic or David Ferrer, who meet later on Saturday.

Djokovic will be the top-seeded player for the Shanghai Masters starting on Monday, which also features Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Nadal.

Indeed Djokovic’s success in China spread still wider.

Nadal’s 49-16 season stats is decent, but not for a player of his caliber and stature. He arrived in Asia with a 63-5 match record, and seven titles from 11 finals-with all except Dubai at Grand Slam or Masters level. He has won so many. Traveling to Beijing in quest of his sixth China Open title, he give his co-coach Boris Becker the week off, and brought along his two brothers.

Nadal opened two break points but hesitancy saw them vanish – the crucial moments that ultimately cost him the first set.

The 12th-seeded Swiss will next play Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, who beat Agnieszka Radwanska 4-6 6-3 6-4 to reach her second straight final after she retired from last week’s Wuhan title match.

Novak Djokovic is relishing the chance to go head-to-head with Rafael Nadal again in the China Open final and expects a tough encounter on Sunday. When somebody’s playing like Novak, is very hard to beat, especially in his favorite surface. The Spaniard replied with a tweener which Djokovic turned aside into the open court. Smelling blood and sensing the finish line was not far off, Djokovic broke immediately for 2-1. While Nadal still holds a 23-22 edge in their rivalry, Djokovic has effectively put the nine-time Roland Garros champion in his rear-view mirror.

“This definitely has been my most successful tournament in my career”, Djokovic said.

Djokovic is looking to win the Beijing crown for the sixth time, following victories in 2009-10 and 2012-14.

The Serb is hugely popular in this part of the world, and he repaid their support by beginning his acceptance speech in Mandarin. That’s very important for me, very important for my game. “I am happy the way that I am improving”, Nadal said. “Rafa and I have played 45 times and I hope that continues”, the 28-year-old told the ATP Tour official website. I have been improving every match…

“He’s having one of the most incredible seasons in the history of our sport, so congrats to him”, Nadal said.