Nadal books place in China Open final

Rafael Nadal will play for his sixth title of the year after reaching the final of the China Open.

Nadal defeated Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 Saturday in the semifinals.

The French Open and U.S. Open champion is one of three men to win five titles this year, along with Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev.

The Spaniard will play either Zverev or Nick Kyrgios of Australia in Sunday's final.

Nadal, the 2005 China Open champion, has a tour-leading 60 match wins in 2017. Nadal held serve at love in his first three service games against Dimitrov and saved two break points in the seventh game.

Dimitrov hit a backhand crosscourt winner to take the second set on Nadal's serve in the 10th game. Nadal took immediate control of the third set, racing to a 4-0 lead.