Djokovic wins 4th China Open title

Novak Djokovic of Serbia beat arch-rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to win his fourth title at the China Open.

The match marked the first loss this season on hard court for Nadal, who has won 10 trophies in 2013 including the French and US Opens.

Despite the defeat, the 27-year-old Spaniard will return to the top spot in the ATP Rankings on Monday for the first time since June 27, 2011.

Unlike the three and a half-hour marathon US Open final in September, Djokovic stunned Nadal with a quick win in the National Tennis Stadium.

"I needed this win today. I really wanted to get my hands on the trophy and win against Nadal, who has been the best player so far in 2013," said Djokovic.

Djokovic went off to a 3-0 lead in the first set with powerful serves, which was the most dangerous part for the error-stumbled Nadal throughout the 90-minute battle.

Shutting down the first set in merely 36 minutes, Djokovic could have created another 3-0 lead in the second set but Nadal struggled to hold back at 1-2. Djokovic kept a one-game lead before entering his service at 5-4.

With the packed fans chanting and clapping for both players, Djokovic's aces in the tenth game were just too fierce for Nadal to return. Djokovic soared to the air after he sealed his first win against Nadal in recent six months with another love game.

"This afternoon, (Djokovic) he was too strong for me," sighed Nadal. "He was able to hit all the balls where he wants to hit.

"When that's happening against a player like Novak, you are dead."

Djokovic, who also paired with Stanislas Wawrinka in men's doubles event here, said the doubles also helped him.

"That's what I was looking for, actually, to get that positive energy on the court of sharing the court with somebody, the team spirit," he said.