Intro:

Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals in Beijing on Saturday (4th October) in his quest for a fifth ATP 500 China Open crown.

Script:

World number one Novak Djokovic closed in on a fifth crown at the China Open with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 semi-final victory over Andy Murray in Beijing.

The win marks Djokovic's sixth in his last seven matches against Murray, defeating the British number one in an hour and 37 minutes.

A break down in the second set, Murray rallied to tie the game at 4-4 but was left visibly frustrated by an impressive defensive display from his Serbian opponent, who managed to save four of Murray's five break point opportunities.

Djokovic reasserted himself by winning against serve in the ninth game, limiting Murray to only seven winners.

Having won the tournament in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013, Djokovic can now look forward to a semi-final match-up against eitherTomas Berdych or Martin Klizan.

Berdych won the China Open in 2011, the only year in the previous five that didn't see Djokovic lift the trophy in Beijing.

Victory in the final would also mark the Serb's fifth tour crown of the season having already picked up Wimbledon, Indian Wells, Miami and Rome.