Djokovic to meet Nadal in China Open final

Novak Djokovic has set up an intriguing final against Rafael Nadal at the China Open, after the world number one produced a dominant performance to ease past David Ferrer 6-2 6-3. In the other semi-final, Nadal exacted a measure of revenge for his US Open defeat to Fabio Fognini, as the Spaniard beat the Italian in straights sets.

In the opening set, Djokovic made a quick start and he outlasted his opponent in a series of baseline rallies to gain the early break. Ferrer simply had no answer to the precise and powerful groundstrokes that the Serbian produced, and the pressure was telling as Ferrer conceded his serve again with a double fault. Even though the Spaniard fought hard to claim one break back, the world number one swiftly responded with some clean hitting to restore the double break advantage. As Djokovic served for the set, Ferrer held break points to reduce the deficit again but this time the Serbian held off his opponent to eventually close out the set comfortably.

The second set saw Djokovic continue to manoeuvre Ferrer around the court with his deep shot-making, consistently placing his opponent under immense pressure within the rallies. The world number one was in dominant form and at 1-1, he made the breakthrough when Ferrer planted a backhand wide. The Serbian was relentless as he dismantled his opponent clinically, attacking Ferrer at will to the point which the Spaniard was forced into unforced errors, and the world number one easily extended his lead with the double break to leave himself serving for the match. However, Ferrer’s persistence and refusal to lie down was eventually rewarded when he staved off a few match points to claim one break back, but the Serbian immediately regained his focus to break again in the following game and seal a comprehensive victory.

Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal in the final, as earlier the Spaniard saw off his US Open conqueror Fabio Fognini 7-5 6-3 in the other semi-final.

In the other Asian tournament in Tokyo, Benoit Paire upset the home favourite Kei Nishikori 1-6 6-4 6-2 and the Frenchman will play Stan Wawrinka in the final, as the Swiss player edged Gilles Muller in straight sets.