Rafael Nadal has defeated Fabio Fognini in straight sets 7-5 6-3 to secure his place in the final of the China Open.
The Italian defeated the 29-year-old in their last meeting in the US Open by coming from two sets down to beat the 14-time Grand Slam champion, and the duo enjoyed another enticing contest in China.
The two players matched each other stroke for stroke in the first set, which looked to be heading towards a tie-breaker before the Spaniard broke Fognini to take the set 7-5.
The second set began the same way as the first as little separated the duo, but Nadal upped the quality of his game to secure a break in the sixth game and held out to take the set 6-3.
Nadal will face either Novak Djokovic or compatriot David Ferrer in the final.
Simon Sinclair
