Majestic Nadal
Nadal battles past Dimitrov to reach fourth China Open final
BEIJING: World No.1 Rafael Nadal beat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in the China Open semi-finals to reach his ninth final of the year.
The top-seeded Spaniard took control from the start, winning 13 consecutive points on his own serve and breaking Dimitrov to seal the first set in 35 minutes yesterday.
Nadal led the second 3-1 but world No. 8 Dimitrov fought back to level at 4-4 before clinching the set.
Bulgarian Dimitrov’s eye-catching shots were not enough to overcome the 31-year-old, however, and Nadal broke serve three times in the deciding set.
The 16-time Grand Slam winner is on course to win his 75th singles title today and seeking his first China Open title in 12 years.
“I’m very happy to be in the final again,” said Nadal. “Of course, it is a very important achievement for me to continue with the positive feelings after winning the US Open.
“To be back here and be in the final with that very tough draw I had is a great effort. So I’m very happy.
“I am very pleased the way that I have been playing the whole week, after a very tough first day.
“So here I am. I am in the final. Another chance tomorrow (today) to compete in a big match. That’s important for me. That’s why we practise every day and try to improve.”
In the women’s section, Simona Halep will take over as the new No. 1 in the WTA world rankings after progressing to the final with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 victory over Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko yesterday.
The Romanian avenged this year’s French Open final defeat to the hard-hitting Ostapenko with a ruthless display of all-round tennis that saw her send down five aces and 14 winners to oust the 20-yearold in 75 minutes.
The 26-year-old takes over the top spot from Spaniard Garbine Muguruza and will become the first Romanian to head the rankings when the updated standings are released tomorrow.
“It’s very emotional, I think it’s the first time I cried on court,” Halep said after the match.
“It’s amazing that I could do this. My team, everyone at home ... is watching, and I want to thank everyone. It’s my special day.”
WTA CEO Steve Simon and tour president Micky Lawler presented Halep, who had come close to topping the rankings on three different occasions earlier this year, with a memento to mark her achievement after the match. — AFP