Djokovic holds off Murray for 23rd China Open win

BEIJING (AP) Top-ranked Novak Djokovic reached his fifth China Open final and improved his spotless record at the tournament to 23-0 with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Andy Murray on Saturday.

Djokovic appeared headed for a quick victory after winning the first set and capturing 10 straight points to open a 2-0 lead in the second. But Murray took advantage of an error-strewn sixth game by the Serb to break back for 3-all, only to drop serve himself again three games later.

Djokovic will be aiming for his fifth title of the year against the winner of the other semifinal between third-seeded Tomas Berdych and qualifier Martin Klizan, who took out Rafael Nadal.

Murray was playing his eighth match in 10 days after winning last week's Shenzhen Open.