Nadal extends hot streak into final

Rafael Nadal’s insatiable thirst for winning took him into the final of the China Open yesterday.

The French and US Open champion (right) made it 11 victories in a row as he beat Grigor Dimitrov in Beijing.

The world No1 was a 6-3 4-6 6-1 winner as he booked his place in a 110th career final. The victory also allowed him to surpass 60 wins in a season for the ninth time. ‘I’m very happy to be in the final again,’ he said.

In the other semi, Nick Kyrgios beat Sascha Zverev 6-3 7-5.

Simona Halep is one victory away from becoming world No1 for the fourth time this season. The Romanian avenged last week’s loss in Wuhan in style in the quarter-finals of the China Open, beating Daria Kasatkina 6-2 6-1. Victory in the last four against Jelena Ostapenko would see the Romanian overtake Garbine Muguruza to claim the top spot.