World number one Novak Djokovic dispatched Rafael Nadal in ruthless fashion 6-2 6-2 to win his sixth China Open crown in seven years in Bejing on Sunday.
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Djokovic made a blistering start to the match and never looked back after breaking Nadal in the opening game before holding serve easily enough to carve out a 2-1 lead in the opening set.
Nadal held his serve at the second and third time of asking but Djokovic broke him once again in the seventh game before holding serve to take the first set in 45 minutes.
Nadal called for the trainer for lengthy treatment on his right foot after Djokovic levelled at 1-1 in the second set and the Serbian pounced immediately by breaking the Spaniard in his next two service games to lead 4-1.
Djokovic was given a reminder of Nadal’s quality when the Spaniard unleashed an audacious passing shot of his own but, after saving two championship points, he could not stop the Serbian from marching to victory in 90 minutes as he sent down his seventh ace of the final.
This was the 45th meeting between the great rivals and Djokovic’s victory means he has now won seven of their last eight meetings – although Nadal still leads 23-22 overall.
Novak Djokovic won his 8th title of 2015 today. It’s been a good year for the world No. 1… Djokovic in 2015 ATP titles: 8 Losses: 5
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 11, 2015
Regardless of how much Nadal’s foot injury hampered his ability to compete in Sunday’s contest, the nature of this one-sided victory will worry Djokovic’s rivals and he admitted that Beijing is a happy hunting ground after securing a fourth straight China Open crown with his 29th consecutive victory at the tournament.
“This definitely has been my most successful tournament in my career,” Djokovic told media.
“I’ve won the Australian Open five times but Beijing has been a lucky place for me.
“Back in 2008 I remember at the Olympic Games when Rafa won the gold medal (Djokovic won bronze) we had some memorable moments and that’s when the tradition of tennis in this city started.”
