BEIJING—Rafael Nadal moved into the semifinals of the China Open by defeating Marat Safin, 6-3, 6-1.

Nadal outplayed the former top-ranked Russian from the start and remains on track to meet Novak Djokovic in the final Sunday. Djokovic defeated Fernando Verdasco of Spain, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1.

“I think I played a really good match,” Nadal said. “I’m happy about my level.”

Today, Nadal will face Marin Cilic of Croatia, who defeated Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, 6-4, 6-4. Djokovic will face Robin Soderling of Sweden, who defeated Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, 7-6 (3), 6-4.

In today’s women’s semifinals, Svetlana Kuznetsova faces Nadia Petrova, and Agnieszka Radwanska meets Marion Bartoli.

Compiled from News and wire service reports.