Djokovic beats Goffin to reach Japan Open final

TOKYO: World number one Novak Djokovic eased past Belgian third seed David Goffin 6-3, 6-4 at the Japan Open in Tokyo on Saturday to book his place in Sunday’s final against John Millman.

Djokovic beat Goffin in one hour and 29 minutes, extending his head-to-head record against the 2017 champion to seven wins, and will now face Australia’s Millman who beat American Reilly Opelka in the other semifinal. “It’s been a very positive week on the court, off the week as well. Hopefully I’ll be able to crown it tomorrow with a trophy,” Djokovic said.

OSAKA, BARTY IN FINAL

BEIJING: Naomi Osaka will face world number one Ashleigh Barty in Sunday’s final of the China Open after powering to a convincing win over title-holder Caroline Wozniacki.

The Australian Open winner threw off some initial frustrations to emphatically end Wozniacki’s reign in Beijing with a 6-4, 6-2 victory in 84 minutes.

Earlier on Saturday, Australia’s Barty booked her place in the final by saving match point in a tough three-set triumph over Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands. Barty won the gruelling encounter 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7).

NAGAL ENTERS SEMIS

CAMPINAS (BRAZIL): India’s Sumit Nagal sailed into the semi-finals of the ATP Challenger Campinas with a hard-fought win over Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo here. Nagal, placed at a career-best 135 right now, knocked out 13th seed Cerundolo 7-6 7-5 to book his second lastfour appearance in two weeks.

The sixth seed Indian will now face Juan Pablo Ficovich of Argentina for a place in the final.