BEIJING -- Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak at the China Open to 21 straight matches, beating Canada's Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5 under the roof on center court on a cold, rainy Wednesday.
The top-ranked Djokovic came back from a break down in the second set and fought off a set point at 4-5 to close out the match in straight sets. He has only lost three sets en route to winning four China Open titles in four years.
Djokovic faces a tough road to pick up a fifth straight title, with a potential quarterfinal against No. 5-seeded Grigor Dimitrov and possible semifinal against U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic or Andy Murray. He could then meet No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the final.
Although his wife, Jelena Ristic, is preparing to give birth to the couple's first child in about a month, Djokovic said he remains focused on his goal of finishing No. 1 for the third time in the last four years.
He has a healthy lead over Nadal and No. 3 Roger Federer in the rankings, but he's still planning to play a full tournament schedule as the season winds down, including the ATP Tour Finals in London in November.
"It's definitely always the highest priority out there with winning Grand Slams," Djokovic said. "That gives me plenty of motivation. It would mean, of course, a lot to me. That's why I'm out here in Beijing and (next week in) Shanghai, competing and trying to get that year-end No. 1."