Rafael Nadal advanced to the final of the ATP China Open in straight sets at the expense of Fabio Fognini on Saturday, gaining a measure of revenge for his surprise defeat in the third round of the US Open. 

The world number eight overcame his un-seeded opponent and recent nemesis 7-5 6-3 in one hour and 46 minutes of their semi-final at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing.

Nadal, who will face either fellow Spaniard David Ferrer or reigning champion Novak Djokovic in the decider, broke Fognini in the 12th game to win a tight first set, before breaking again to take an imposing 4-2 lead in the second. 

The Italian, ranked 28th in the world and having beaten Nadal three times from four meetings this season prior to this match, including a remarkable comeback from two sets down to win at Flushing Meadows, saved two match points before ultimately succumbing to the third seed.

"He's a great player, a great and talented player," Nadal said after reaching his second final in the last two years at the event, which he won in 2005. 

"It was a tough first set, as I expected. Tough match in general. But I think I played well. I played much closer to the baseline than the previous days. 

"That's very important for me, very important for my game. The position for me on the court today was more aggressive, and that's why I was able to beat him today after a couple of defeats."