Djokovic defeats Nadal for Beijing glory
Novak Djokovic has lost the No.1 ranking to Rafael Nadal but he did not relinquish his China Open title to the Spaniard with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in Beijing.
In their 38th career meeting the top seeded defending champion inflicted Nadal’s first hard court loss of 2013 a month after losing to the Spaniard in the US Open final.
By reaching the final Nadal had guarenteed his return to the No.1 ranking but it was Djokovic who struck early with a break in the second game when the No.2 seed netted a backhand. The four-time Australian Open champion maintained the advantage and took the opener with an inside out forehand winner on set point after 35 minutes.
The Serb broke Nadal in a hard fought opening game of the second set when the 2nd seed netted a short forehand. In the third game Djokovic held points for a double break lead but Nadal fended off both to hold for 1-2.
Djokovic held firm on serve to stay in control. Serving for the match at 5-4 the three-time champion set up three match points and fired a service winner to seal his 38th career singles title after an hour and 27 minutes.
Stat Attack – Djokovic
- In four victorious appearances at the China Open Djokovic has lost just three sets – Fernando Verdasco has twice stretched him to three and Germany’s Michael Berrer has once
- Of the Serb’s 16 victories over Nadal 11 have come in straight sets and 9 have come in finals
Stat Attack – Nadal
- Nadal was appearing in his 13th singles final of 2013, the most in his career, and his 84th career final
Williams clinches second Beijing crown
World No.1 Serena Williams won the China Open for the first time since 2004 with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over fellow former Champion Jelena Jankovic.
In their first hard court meeting since the 2008 US Open final, Williams saved a break point in the opening game with a forehand drive volley. In a long second game Jankovic survived two break points but netted a backhand on the third.
The top seeded American built on the lead and set up two set points with a mishit drop shot at 5-2. The Serbian 2008 champion netted a backhand a point later and Williams had the first set.
In the third game of the second set Williams appeared to strain her back, as she had in her semi-final victory over Agnieszka Radwanska. The French and US Open champion fended off two break points with aces but netted a forehand on the third.
Having broken, Jankovic took an injury timeout for an injury of her own. When the match resumed Williams reeled off four straight games to take charge.
Serving at 2-5 Jankovic survived two match points but Williams crunched a forehand return down the line to create a third. Jankovic’s final forehand landed wide as Williams claimed her 10th title of 2013.
Stat Attack – Williams
- With her 56th career singles title Williams moves past Virginia Wade and Lindsay Davenport to 7th on the all-time list
- The American has now won a career best 73 matches in 2013 - only bettered 3 times since 1995 – has a 106-5 record since losing in the first round of last year’s French Open
Stat Attack – Jankovic
- After her 31st career singles final Jankovic moves back into the top 10 at No.8; her 231st week ranked in the elite
Del Potro fights past Raonic in Tokyo
In a battle of former finalists Juan Martin Del Potro edged out Milos Raonic 7-6(5), 7-5 to win the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships.
A contest dominated by serve saw Del Potro fend off three break points in the opening set. The top seeded Argentinean came from 0-2 down to win the first set tie-break and the first set after 54 minutes.
In the second Del Potro manufactured the first break of the huge Raonic serve during the entire tournament. The vital break came in the eleventh game when the World No.7 converted his third break point and a game later Del Potro struck a forehand pass to take his 16th career title.
Stat Attack – Del Potro
- It is the 4th time Del Potro has won at least 3 ATP World Tour titles in a season
- The Argentinean moves to 5th in the 2013 race and is aiming to finish in the top 5 for second time in his career having finished 2009 ranked 5th
Stat Attack – Raonic