World number one Rafael Nadal showed his class in the key moments to beat John Isner and book his place in the semi-finals of the China Open.

Isner was typically strong on serve as he made life tough for Nadal, but Nadal prevailed  6-4, 7-6 .

Grigor Dimitrov stands between the Spaniard and a place in the final of a tournament he won in 2005. Nadal has won eight of their nine previous meetings.