Novak Djokovic to face Rafael Nadal in China Open final
Saturday 10 October 2015 23:53, UK
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will meet in the final of the China Open after both sealing straight sets victories on Saturday at the National Tennis Center in Beijing.
Djokovic booked his place in the final by easing past Spain's David Ferrer. The top seed broke his opponent's serve early in both sets to win 6-2 6-3 in one hour and 14 minutes but only after Ferrer had fought back in the second set.
Ferrer broke back in game eight to trail 5-3, but Djokovic took his opponent's next service game to win the set, the match and set up his meeting with Nadal.
Earlier in the day, Nadal claimed a 7-5 6-3 victory over Fabio Fognini having served to stay in the opening set.
Fognini defeated Nadal three times this year, knocking him out of the US Open at the third round stage in September. However, he was unable to continue his fine run of form against Nadal and was broken in the second set to go 4-2 down.
Nadal, a winner here in 2005, held his serve to secure his place in the final for the third time his career.
"For me, (to) be in the final is a great event. Very happy with that result," Nadal said. "The goal for me is try to find a good level at this end of the season."
His next task will be attempting to inflict defeat on Djokovic, who has never lost at the China Open.
The 29-year-old leads their head-to-head 23-21, but has failed to beat Djokovic since the French Open final last year.
"I know today Novak is not my league, is a different level of me this year," Nadal added. "Tomorrow is a match to try to enjoy and try to play the way that I want to play, and we'll see."
