Novak Djokovic continues dominance over Rafael Nadal with China Open win

After a breathtaking China Open, when he lost only 18 games and extended his record to 9-0 in Chinese finals, Djokovic is primed for another title.

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal moved within reach of his first hard-court title in nearly two years by extracting a modicum of revenge on new Italian foe, Fabio Fognini, with a 7-5, 6-3 win in their China Open semi-final yesterday.

Nadal  "I am very happy with the way that I played the week, especially because I was able to improve every single match during the week".

"Obviously I finished the match playing better than what I started".

Rafa Nadal of Spain reaches for a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's singles final match at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015.

"I always expect a battle with (Nadal)", he said. All matches are good practice for me. "There are no secrets".

The 14-time Grand Slam victor will now wait to learn if he faces David Ferrer or unbeaten Novak Djokovic in the final in Beijing. The opening point was worthy of a Slam final, then Djokovic hit the line with an inch-perfect shot.

In the second set, the 22-year-old got the all-important break in the ninth game to serve for the match. 

The very first point of the match, with Nadal serving, produced a medium-length rally featuring great defense by Nadal, but penetrating, persistent stroking by Djokovic - until the latter pulled the trigger on a sharp cross-court backhand that Nadal, at full stretch, barely ticked with his racket. The victor of three of the four Grand Slams this season lost only 18 games all week as he won his ninth title in China (including three in Shanghai). I know the conditions are slightly different.

The second set was attritional until Nadal leapt ahead with a break for 4-2, and the suddenly invigorated Spaniard won the next game to love to stand on the brink of victory.

This was the forty-fifth meeting between the pair and Djokovic came into the match as the clear favourite having won six of their last seven meetings, the most recent being the quarter-final at Roland Garros when the Serbian dispatched the "King of Clay" easily.

Muguruza, seeded fifth, defeated fourth seed Agnieska Radwanska 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semis.

Nadal signalled his thought to tackle his next work for, bearing regarding the first time period, before sacking an exceptional winner as Djokovic wedged his next assistance scenario.