Beijing
Rafael Nadal produced an assured display to beat big-serving American John Isner 6-4 7-6(0) at the China Open on Friday and set up a semifinal clash with third seed Grigor Dimitrov.

The top-seeded Spaniard eased to his 59th victory of the year, breaking sixth seed Isner at 5-4 and holding his nerve to sweep a second-set tiebreak.

Dimitrov had to dig deep after being pushed hard in his quarterfinal against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, but held out to beat the fifth seed 7-6(5) 4-6 6-2 in two hours and 29 minutes.

Dimitrov and Nadal have met on nine previous occasions — of which the Spaniard has won eight — but the Bulgarian’s only victory over the world No. 1 came in the Beijing quarterfinals last year.

Australian Nick Kyrgios sent down 12 aces against qualifier Steve Darcis, winning the first set 6-0 and going 3-0 up in the second before the Belgian retired due to injury.