BEIJING: World number one Novak Djokovic continued his recent dominance over Rafa Nadal when he beat the Spaniard 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday to win his sixth China Open title and improve his record at the tournament to a sterling 29-0.

Djokovic had seven aces to none for Nadal, and saved both break points he faced in the match at the National Tennis Centre in the Chinese capital, which was the 45th between the two players.

“The scoreline, especially in the first set, doesn’t indicate the real battle that we had on the court,” Djokovic said.

“I think I maintained that level of aggressiveness and strength and power in my shots, and eventually I knew that he’s going to make mistakes and he’s going to give me shorter balls so I can dominate the rallies, which happened.”

Nadal still leads 23-22 but hasn’t beaten Djokovic since the French Open final last year and hasn’t prevailed on hard courts since the 2013 U.S. Open final.

The Spaniard hurt his foot early in the second set and called for the trainer during a changeover. He said he would see how he feels Monday and hopes he’ll be able to play next week’s Shanghai Masters.

Nadal said he’s pleased with his performance this week, especially considering how much he’s struggled to maintain his consistency this season - his first in 11 years without a Grand Slam title. He’s also just 2-8 against top-10 opponents this year.

“That’s the thing that I am working hard to try to recover the level that I want to recover,” he said. “And for moments in that first set, I was very close to that level, thinking that I am playing against a player who is playing unbelievable and with huge confidence.”

Djokovic was already well on top and in complete control when Nadal hurt his foot. He broke Nadal’s opening service game and fought off two break points on his own serve in the sixth game.

He broke Nadal again and took out the first set in 41 minutes, then ran away from his ailing opponent in the second.

In the women’s final, Wimbledon runner-up Garbine Muguruza captured her second career WTA Tour title — her biggest title to date, rallying in both sets to defeat Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-4.

Muguruza trailed 5-2 in the opening set before winning five straight games to clinch it, then went down an early break in the second set before coming back yet again to win her first Premier Mandatory title and climb to fourth in the world rankings.

WAWRINKA WINS JAPAN OPEN TITLE

TOKYO: Top seed Stan Wawrinka won the Japan Open on Sunday after thrashing Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-4 to capture his fourth title of the year.

French Open champion Wawrinka took just 65 minutes to complete victory at the Ariake Colosseum with Paire, who underwent a scan on his left ankle before the final and needed pain-killing injections to play, clearly in discomfort.

“It feels really great, it’s been a special week,” said Wawrinka, sporting a red “Stan the Man” T-shirt and snapping selfies with the silver trophy.

“I took my time to get to the top but once I get somewhere, I stay,” added the Swiss after winning his 11th career title.

The final was played with the roof closed because of the threat of rain and Wawrinka quickly gained control. He wrapped up the opening set after just 26 minutes with three service breaks.

The second set was much tighter, Wawrinka had to fight off two break points in the third game but he seized his only opportunity, in the 10th game, to complete a straight-sets win.

Published in Dawn, October 12th , 2015

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