Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic reach semifinals at China Open along with Soderling, Cilic

Nadal, Djokovic reach semifinals at China Open

BEIJING — Rafael Nadal moved into the semifinals of the China Open on Friday by defeating Marat Safin 6-3, 6-1.

Nadal outplayed the former top-ranked Russian from the start and remains on track to meet Novak Djokovic in the final Sunday. Djokovic defeated Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-3, 1-6, 6-1.

“I think I played a really good match,” Nadal said. “I’m happy about my level.”

Safin plans to retire at the end of this season, and thanked the fans for their support.

“I haven’t been practicing for a long time and I can still hit some balls, so it’s a really nice feeling to get on the court,” said Safin, who won the inaugural China Open title in 2004.

On Saturday, Nadal will face Marin Cilic of Croatia, who defeated Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 6-4, 6-4. Djokovic will face Robin Soderling of Sweden, who defeated Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 7-6 (3), 6-4.

Djokovic was broken by Verdasco three times in the second set. But the fourth-ranked Serb regained his form in the third set and took advantage of his Spanish opponent’s 19 unforced errors in the match.

“I had ups and downs,” Djokovic said. “Verdasco used his chances in the second set when he broke. I saved energy at the end of the second set for the refreshing start of the third and I was fortunate to do so.”

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia became the first woman to qualify for the semifinals, stopping Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 6-3, 6-3.

Kuznetsova will face Nadia Petrova of Russia, who defeated Peng Shuai of China 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2.

“I’m very happy to get through even though I didn’t really start out playing well, but I really picked it up by the second and third sets,” said Petrova, who eliminated Serena Williams in three sets on Thursday. “It’s always difficult to come out the next day and put on the same performance.”

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland topped fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia 7-5, 6-3. She will meet Marion Bartoli of France, who defeated Vera Zvonareva of Russia 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.