(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal failed to reach a final for only the second time during his incredible 2013 season after being blown off court by Argentine whirlwind Juan Martin Del Potro at the Shanghai Masters yesterday.
The Spaniard had been hoping to celebrate his return to the top of the world rankings this week by setting up a final showdown for the second time in as many weeks with chief rival Novak Djokovic.
But Nadal, one of the fastest athletes on the tour, found himself outpaced 6-2 6-4 after a breathtaking semi-final display of power and touch by the 2009 U.S. Open champion.
Serb Djokovic continued his love affair with the hard courts of China as he swotted aside the challenge of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2 7-5.
The defending champion stretched his unbeaten run in China to 19 matches by overcoming Frenchman Tsonga.
