In Beijing, world number one Novak Djokovic was taking on David Ferrer in the semi-finals of the China Open. The Serbian super star has never lost at the tournament boasting a 27-0 record while winning 5 titles, and one more victory would see him play for the trophy yet again against his old rival Rafael Nadal.
Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia shakes hands with David Ferrer of Spain after their men's singles semifinal at 2015 China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 10, 2015. Djokovic was qualified for the final after beating Ferrer 2-0. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
Nole, leading 5-2 in the first set but facing two break points as Ferrer tries to get back in this. A drop shot at the net is chased down by the Spaniard leaving an easy volley. Djokovic would win the frame 6-2.
Ferrer would not fade and maintained his usual dogged resistance, but was unable to cause much trouble for the top seed. Djoker plays a short forehand that Ferrere gets to, he then goes over the Spaniard with and that sets up a smach, but Novak puts barely anything on it and Ferrer only manages a tired reply as Djokovic takes the point and the fans cheer.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory over David Ferrer of Spain during their men's singles semifinal at 2015 China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 10, 2015. Djokovic was qualified for the final after beating Ferrer 2-0. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
We go to match point, and Ferrer will clip the net sending his ball wide. Djokovic extends his winning streak to 28 matches and will now take on Nadal for the title.
"Well, we played so many times and we played here Olympic Games in 2008 and we played in the finals in 2013. Every time I get to play against him it is another challenge - he's the player I played against the most in my career so he hasn't been playing maybe on the level this year that he is was playing on the last ten years. But he is a champion, he knows how to play big matches, he deserves to be in the final and it is going to be a good one," Djokovic said.
Third-seeded Spaniard takes down Italian 7-5, 6-3
And 2005 champion Nadal meets Fabio Fognini of Italy in the other semi-finals. The Spaniard was leading at 6-5 in the first set, Fognini made a drop shot at the net, and Nadal send a forehand winner deep into his court.
Later, at the set point, after Fognini's return went long, the third seed took the opening set 7-5.
Fognini had beaten the Spaniard in three of their last four matches, including a famous upset at last month's U.S. Open. In the second set the Italian continued to challenge the world number eight, sending a cross court forehand winner to win this rally.
But Fognini failled to make another comeback, after sending the ball long at the match point, Nadal clinche 7-5 6-3 victory in Beijing, and reaching his first hardcourt final this year.
