Patient Djokovic wins China Open

Novak Djokovic has revealed that 'patience and experience' were the telling factors which helped him beat Marin Cilic in the China Open final.

The Serb player expressed relief after his 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) victory as Croat Cilic twice served for the second set.

Djokovic, who will claim back his world number three ranking from the injured Andy Murray next week, said: 'My patience and the choice of certain shots and a little more experience than he has decided the winner.'

The location might also have helped. Beijing is a happy hunting ground for Djokovic who won the Olympic gold medal in the city last year.

Number eight seed Cilic's booming serve proved too much for Murray in the US Open and also helped him beat Rafael Nadal in the semi final, a 6-1, 6-3 result which left the Spaniard commenting that 2009 has been 'a difficult year'.

But Cilic struggled to find his rhythm on his serve, indeed each player dropped serve three times in a see-saw second set.