BEIJING (AP) Defending champion Novak Djokovic reached the final of the China Open by beating John Isner of the United States 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Saturday.
On the women's side, new No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki beat Shahar Peer 7-5, 6-2 to reach the title match. The Dane will play Vera Zvonareva, who powered past Li Na 6-3, 6-3.
The second-ranked Djokovic pounded away from the baseline and executed sharply at the net to nail three of 12 break points and drop serve only once against the 6-foot-9 Isner.
``I had a lot of opportunities throughout the whole match and used them when I needed to, so just happy to get through this one,'' said Djokovic, who will meet either Ivan Ljubicic or David Ferrer.
Djokovic beat Isner in their only previous encounter, in the Davis Cup in March, but it took the Serb more than 4 hours and six match points. On that occasion, he had a tough time reading Isner's 130 mph serve.
But in Beijing, Djokovic felt ``more comfortable returning, especially in that second set.''
``I definitely knew that the key to today's match was to return well and, yet again, to get him into the longer rallies because that's where my chances were,'' Djokovic said.
The U.S. Open runner-up is already looking ahead to playing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in next week's Shanghai Masters.
``I have enough energy for the final, definitely, and for the next week: I feel fresh and confident and just (want to) keep on going,'' Djokovic said.
Zvonareva had to contend with the home crowd's raucous support for Li but she never lost focus, converting six of eight break points and dropping serve three times.
``I was just trying to do my best on the court and not think about anything else,'' said Zvonareva, the Wimbledon and the U.S. Open finalist who will rise to No. 3 in the rankings next week.
``I knew I just had to hang in there and counterpunch when I could. Get every single ball and fight for every point, and I think I did that.''