Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal to take China Open title

Novak Djokovic took his 8^th title of the year at the China Open

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic took a comprehensive victory over a former holder of that title, Rafael Nadal, as he beat the Spaniard in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. He looked dominant, closing out the match in 90 minutes.

The top-seeded Serbian has lost only 18 games through the entire course of the China Open over the past week, culminating in a face-off between the longtime rivals. While Djokovic beat Nadal’s compatriot David Ferrer, Nadal beat his own nemesis – Italian ace Fabio Fognini, who was responsible for his shock ouster from the US Open.

The Nadal-Djokovic rivalry is both well-known and well-matched, and is one of themost intense in the Open Era. The pair have now met a total of 46 times including today’s final, with each taking 23 victories. Djokovic is by far the more successful player on hard surfaces, however. In the pair’s last 15 matches on hard court, Djokovic has taken 10 victories, with Nadal taking only 5.

The pair last met at the French Open this year – on clay – with the Serbian taking that win. Djokovic has come out on top in each of the pair’s last 3 matches, beating the Spaniard in straight sets each time.

The second set of the match saw Nadal beginning to struggle, requiring medical attention for his ankle, and Djokovic homed in on the win, his 8^th of the year. He won 3 of 4 Grand Slams this year, losing out at the French Open to Swiss ace Stan Wawrinka.

Elsewhere, Wawrinka himself beat Frenchman Benoit Paire to take the title at the Rakuten Japan Open. He was top-seeded at the event, and beat Paire in straight sets – 6-2, 6-4.

Djokovic and Wawrinka, who is currently World No. 4, are two of four players to have already qualified for the month-end ATP Tour Finals, due to be held in London. World No 2 and 3 Roger Federer and Andy Murray are the other two.

Players are next due to participate in the Shanghai Masters, which commence on Monday.