2010 China Open: Defending champion Djokovic storms into final
Seeded no. 1 at the tournament, Serbia's Novak Djokovic has yet to drop a set on his way to the final of the 2010 China Open. Djokovic eliminated America's John Isner in the semi-finals, defeating him 7-6 in the first set and 6-2 in second.
Alongside him, seeded no. 8 at the tournament, Spain's David Ferrer and Croatia's Ivan Ljubičić will battle it out in the semi-finals of their draw to make it through to the championship final.
Isner eliminated Russia's Nikolay Davydenko in the quarter-finals of his draw to face Djokovic in the semi-finals. After remaining evenly contested in the first set, the American defeated Davydenko 7-6. Furthermore, Isner went on to take the second set 6-2.
Prior to making it through to the semi-finals, Novak thrashed Frenchman Gilles Simon to advance at the tournament. Simon was beaten 6-3 in the first set and 6-2 in the second set.
Djokovic was conveniently put through to the third round of the tournament as America's Mardy Fish pulled out briefly before the match was to begin. However, before that walkover, ‘Nole’ was opposed by wild card entrant Gong Maoxin of China.
Performing flawlessly, Novak bagged the first set, based upon his 6-1 win. Furthermore, Djokovic ended Maoxin's reign, defeating him 6-3 in the second set, to take the match.
In the year 2009, Nole faced Spain's Fernando Verdasco in the quarter-finals of the China Open. The Serb got off to a good start, taking the first set 6-3. However, Verdasco bounced back to take the second set 6-1. The deciding third set nevertheless, went
in favor of Djoko, as he took the set 6-1.
Proceeding further, Djokovic was faced by Sweden's Robin Soderling in the semi-finals of the tournament. The crisp two set tussle was however brought to an end as Novak took the first and the second set 6-3, to secure a place for himself in the championship
final.
Upon making it to the final, Djoko was faced by Croatia's Marin Cilic, who made it through after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal 6-1 and 6-3 in the semi-finals. Djokovic clinched the 2009 China Open Men's singles title, based on his 6-2, 7-6, straight set win
against the Croatian.
Additionally, after having defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the 2010 U.S. Open, Djokovic's level of confidence seems to have been boosted quite a bit, considering the fact that the player has proved invincible at the tournament so
far. The title could quite likely go in favour of the Serb. However, only time will tell.
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