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By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 9, 2015

 
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic demolished John Isner, 6-2, 6-2, in 52 minutes to score his 27th straight Beijing win and set up a semifinal versus David Ferrer.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic's jolting backhand return down the line buzzed by John Isner so fast, he removed his white baseball cap and rubbed his forehead as if stung by the shot.

Slashing returns and shredding rallies, the world No. 1 downsized one of the game's biggest servers, 6-2, 6-2, and left the towering American looking a little dazed and disorientated in the process.

If you faced the barrage Isner endured in a 52-minute thrashing, your head would be spinning, too.

More: Nadal Rallies Past Sock Into Beijing Semifinals

The Asian audience showed adoration for Djokovic, bursting into applause following his first winner. The five-time China Open champion answered with some of his most dynamic tennis of the season in a clinical dissection that resembled an exo at times.

Commanding the court as if playing in his backyard, Djokovic's 27th consecutive China Open victory was impressive from all areas of the court. A dominant Djokovic has won 54 of 57 sets he's played in Beijing.

The top-seeded Serbian rides a streak of 23 straight sets in Beijing into tomorrow's semifinal against David Ferrer. The fourth-seeded Ferrer swept wild card Yen-Hsun Lu, 6-3, 6-1, in 77 minutes. Since his return from an elbow injury at the US Open in August, Ferrer has gone on an 11-1 tear, including capturing his 25th career title at the Malaysian Open last Sunday.

Djokovic has won 15 of 20 meetings with Ferrer, including a 6-2, 6-4 decision in the 2010 Beijing final.

No. 3-seeded Rafael Nadal takes on nemesis Fabio Fognini in tomorrow's opening semifinal a decade after the Spaniard ruled Beijing.

The persistent depth of Djokovic's drives that danced near Isner's skateboard-sized black Nikes sometimes forced one of the sport's biggest servers to back-pedal right off the return.

The six-foot-10 Isner owns one of the most imposing serves in the game, but Djokovic neutered it winning 50 percent of the American's first-serve points and converting four of five break points.

In the opening game, Isner got an immediate taste of the torment he would face. Djokovic put every return back in play, wiping out his opponents 40-0 lead and winning eight of the next nine points roaring to a 2-0 lead.

It was ruthlessly creative tennis from Djokovic, who demolished an explosive opponent with varied angles, spins and vicious accuracy. When he wasn't breaking down the sixth seed's vaunted serve or battering his backhand, Djokovic spent time freezing Isner with some exquisite lobs and teasing him with drop shots.

A crackling return rattled the frame of Isner's racket as Djokovic broke for 5-2. He bolted an ace down the middle to close the opening set. Breezing through his service games, Djokovic lost only six points on his first serve and permitted just three points on his second serve.

A lunging return set up extended the point, Djokovic terminated it driving a ball at the big man's feet prompting Isner to dribble a stilted half-volley into net. That shot gave the Serbian his third break and a 2-1 second-set lead.

Credit the battered American for hanging on despite being jerked around by a master who wasn't missing. Isner banged his third ace out wide stamping his first love hold for 2-3.

An imaginative topspin backhand lob followed by a sharper angled backhand earned Djokovic break point. A demoralized Isner went all in on his second serve and missed the mark double faulting away another break as Djokovic snatched a 5-2 lead.

As they shook hands at net, Isner smiled and patted Djokovic on the chest in acknowledgement of a masterful performance.

Even after a brilliant thrashing was complete, Djokovic was still calling the shots. Before tossing two light blue towels into the crowd, he pointed directly to two young fans as gift recipients.



 

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