Djokovic, Nadal in China Open final

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will renew their long rivalry in the China Open final today in Beijing after both won their semifinals in straight sets.

The top-ranked Djokovic improved his perfect record at the tournament to 28-0 with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over fourth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain, while the third-seeded Nadal defeated Italy’s Fabio Fognini 7-5, 6-3.

Nadal leads their headto-head record 23-21, but hasn’t beaten Djokovic since the French Open final last year.

Djokovic has won 25 straight sets at the China Open and will be vying for his sixth title in six attempts.

Japan Open: Unseeded Benoit Paire of France rallied to beat defending champion Kei Nishikori 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the final, where he will face top-seeded Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland.

Paire, who captured his first ATP title at Bastad in July, also beat Nishikori in the U.S. Open first round this year.

Wawrinka had eight aces to defeat Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 6-4, 7-6 (5).