Djokovic Successfully Defends Beijing Title, Beats Nadal in Straight Sets
Novak Djokovic has triumphed over Rafael Nadal in a thrilling match to defend his Beijing title in 2013. Staying undefeated in the Chinese capital, Djokovic proved his dominance by defeating his great rival Nadal in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. The intense battle lasted for an hour and 27 minutes, solidifying the Serbian’s position as one of the top players in the world.
This victory marks Djokovic’s fourth title at the Beijing event, maintaining a flawless record since debuting in 2009. It also represents his 38th ATP trophy and his fourth of the season. Djokovic’s exceptional performance in the ATP 500 finals remains unparalleled at an impressive 10-0.
The match between Djokovic and Nadal marked their 38th encounter on the court. Djokovic now claims his 16th victory over the Spanish superstar, leading 12-8 in their hard-court duels and equalizing the score in the finals to 9-9. The loss for Nadal on a hard court is particularly noteworthy, as he had not experienced such a defeat throughout the season.
Djokovic’s superior serve played a crucial role in his victory. Serving at an impressive 72% accuracy, Djokovic only dropped six points and denied Nadal any break chances. On the other hand, Nadal struggled with his second serve, losing serve once in each set. Djokovic’s consistently controlled strokes forced Nadal into over 20 unforced errors.
Although Nadal managed to lead in the shortest rallies of up to four strokes and remained competitive in more advanced exchanges, Djokovic dominated the mid-range rallies, amassing a commanding 27-7 lead in that segment.
The match began with Djokovic excelling right from the start, holding his serve with a sensational forehand crosscourt winner. In the second game, Nadal faltered with a couple of loose backhands, ultimately losing serve and falling behind 2-0. Djokovic continued his rampage, winning the third game at love and establishing a commanding 3-0 lead within just 11 minutes of play.
In the fifth game, Djokovic created three game points courtesy of a drop shot winner and sealed it with an ace, extending his lead to 4-1. Although Nadal managed to hold serve in game six and remain just one break behind, Djokovic responded with a love hold to capture a 5-2 advantage.
Nadal prolonged the first set by holding serve in game eight, forcing Djokovic to serve for the opener at 5-3. Djokovic capitalized on his opportunities, creating two set points with a forehand winner and securing the set with a final forehand winner, ultimately winning it 6-3 in 35 minutes.
Not content with just winning the first set, Djokovic continued his dominant performance into the second set. He broke Nadal’s serve early, capitalizing on a superb defense and Nadal’s mistake. Djokovic solidified his lead with a comfortable hold at love in the second game, demonstrating flawless execution.
Nadal faced further pressure in the third game, committing a double fault and granting Djokovic a break point. Although Djokovic initially missed the opportunity, he earned a second break point with a remarkable backhand down the line winner. Despite Nadal’s valiant attempt to save it with a smash winner, Djokovic capitalized on his second chance and secured the break, leaving Nadal trailing by one break.
Djokovic showcased his supreme skills once again, firing an ace in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Nadal responded with a hold at love in game five, hoping for an opportunity to reverse the situation. Unfortunately for Nadal, Djokovic seized a 24-stroke exchange in game six, capitalizing on his rival’s backhand mistake and further solidifying his lead at 4-2.
Nadal refused to go down without a fight, delivering a flawless service game in the seventh, ensuring Djokovic had no further easy victories. Djokovic faced a slight setback in the eighth game, falling 30-15 behind due to a wayward backhand. However, he rallied to win the following three points, claiming a 5-3 lead and edging closer to victory.
In the crucial ninth game, Nadal served to stay in the match and did so with confidence, closing it with a service winner. Though Nadal managed to extend the match, Djokovic’s superb play proved insurmountable in the end.
Novak Djokovic’s victory over Rafael Nadal in the Beijing title clash reaffirms his status as one of the greatest players in tennis history. With this triumph, Djokovic continues to dominate the Chinese capital and maintains an impeccable record at the Beijing event. As the Serbian star lifts his 38th ATP title and fourth of the season, his impressive score in the ATP 500 finals stands at a perfect 10-0.
