Djokovic rides on rain break to crush Cilic

 
French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova managed to avoid the rain and overcame the challenge of Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-4 to claim a second China Open title in the first year of its elevated status as one of the WTA's "crown jewel" events.

Djokovic, who will move up to number three in the world later this month, earlier kept his 100 percent career record against the world number 15 intact in a contest long on rallies but short on quality.

"Even though it was a straight sets win, it could easily have gone the other way," said the 22-year-old Serbian, who will take home $500,000.

"I think I was a little bit saved by the rain delay. I got my nerves together and managed to play well." Djokovic imitated Rafa Nadal by biting the trophy he was awarded but that was the only resemblance between the two players in their China Open ties against Cilic, who demolished the Spanish world number two in the semi-finals.

Tsonga wins

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga outgunned Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3 to win the Japan Open with a dazzling mix of guile and brute force on Sunday. The world number seven took 69 minutes to blow Youzhny off court and capture his third title of the year and fifth of his career.

"I will celebrate in the plane to Shanghai with a beer and maybe a little dance," Tsonga told reporters with a huge grin.  "I played perfectly today, like I did yesterday. When I play like that it's tough for my opponents," added Tsonga.