Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame a spirited early challenge from American wildcard John Isner to advance to the final of the China Open on Saturday in straight sets.

The 23-year-old Serb, the top seed in Beijing, unleashed an arsenal of crafty drop shots, sliced serves and explosive groundstrokes to defeat Isner in front of a sparse crowd at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre, 7-6 (7/1), 6-2.