World number one Novak Djokovic continued his dominance of the Chinese hardcourts by swatting aside a mis-firing Andy Murray 6-1 6-3 to reach the final of the Shanghai Masters yesterday.

The Serbian will take on Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final after the 16th seed recorded a 6-4 0-6 7-5 win over Rafa Nadal, his first in almost four years against the Spaniard.

The 30-year-old Frenchman was delighted with his scintillating display featuring 40 winners, mainly from a fearsome forehand, but will have to find yet another gear if he is to upset Djokovic today.

The 10-times grand slam champion is aiming for his third Shanghai title on the back of securing his sixth China Open crown last week when he dismantled Nadal in the Beijing final.

Briton Murray, twice a champion in Shanghai, knew a fast start was necessary if he was to upset his long term foe but he did just the opposite.

The world number two served a paltry 43 percent of first serves in the opening set.

Murray rebounded at the start of the second by breaking Djo-kovic to 15 but the small bit of momentum was lost as he gave away his next service game.