Djokovic reigns supreme in China Open
Defeats Rafael Nadal in straight sets to claim 6 title in Beijing
World number one Novak Djokovic maintained his unbeaten run in Beijing with a successful China Open title defence against his familiar foe Rafael Nadal on Sunday.
The Serbian won the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 in one and half hour despite the huge billing the final match had received into the clash.
Djokovic started his title defence in superb form, breaking third-seeded Nadal in the very first game of the match. He broke the Spaniard again in the seventh game for a 5-2 lead. Then, closed out the set on love in the eight game in 42 minutes.
Nadal, 29, in his sixth singles final of 2015, missed a chance to break Djokovic at 3-2 in the opening set to level the match in Beijing. With a fightback not materialising and the Spaniard requiring treatment on his right foot at 1-1 in the second set, the 28-year-old Serb won comfortably.
Djokovic, who won his eighth title of the year in 90 minutes, said Beijing had “definitely been the most successful tournament so far in my career”.
“The fans give me reason to come back every year.”
Nadal, who saved two championship points, said the top seed was “having one of the most memorable seasons in the history of our sport”. On his recent own dip in form, the fourteen time grand slam champion added: “I have been improving in every single match. All matches are good practice for me. It’s good energy for starting next season stronger.”
Earlier, Garbine Muguruza battled past Timea Bacsinszky to win her second WTA title and climbed a career high ranking of No. 4.
The Spaniard, who retired from the Wuhan Open final against Venus Williams last week due to exhaustion, won the match 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 35 minutes.
The Wimbledon finalists recovered from a slow start to win the first set in 54 minutes. She was down 2-5, but produced back-to-back breaks, before winning the set.
