Rafael Nadal continues hot streak to reach China Open final

08 October 2017 08:24

Rafael Nadal's insatiable thirst for winning took him into the final of the China Open on Saturday.

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

The world number one 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," Nadal told the ATP's official website afterwards.

"Of course, it is a very important achievement for me to continue with the positive feelings after winning the US Open. To be back here and be in the final with that very tough draw I had is a great effort. So I'm very happy.

"I am very pleased the way that I have been playing the whole week, after a very tough first day. So here I am. I am in the final. Another chance tomorrow to compete in a big match. That's important for me. That's why we practise every day and try to improve."

An exciting-looking final with Nick Kyrgios awaits for Nadal.

The unpredictable Australian secured a fine 6-3 7-5 win over Sascha Zverev and will go into the clash having been one of the few men to beat Nadal in 2017.

He knocked him out of the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters and has a shared record against him over four matches.

Elsewhere, Adrian Mannarino reeled off seven games in a row to oust top seed Marin Cilic in the Japan Open semi-final.

The Frenchman was a set down when he started his run deep into the second, going on to win 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 6-0.

He is now one win away from a first ATP Tour title, though will have to beat fourth seed David Goffin in the final.

The Belgian won a tight contest against Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, winning two tie-break sets 7-6 (7/3) 7-6 (8/6).

Source: PA