World number one Nadal was pushed to the limit by Wawrinka in a highly competitive first set, but the relentless Spaniard came out on top in a gripping tie-break lasting more than 20 minutes.[break]
It was one-way traffic in the second set as he prevailed 7-6 (12/10), 6-1.
Top seed Djokovic kept his side of the bargain under floodlights at the Qizhong Tennis Center, withstanding a feisty challenge from Frenchman Gael Monfils to win his quarter-final 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.
Nadal, who has won 10 titles -- including the French Open and US Open -- this year, fended off three set points for Wawrinka, against whom he now boasts an 11-0 record, before taking his fourth opportunity to win the opener.
A dispirited Wawrinka ran out of steam in the second set against never-say-die Nadal, who regained the number one ranking this week and is chasing a record sixth Masters title in a single season.
Earlier, Monfils and Djokovic swapped two service breaks each before the match settled into a more regular groove, going to a tie-break won by the Frenchman when the top seed went long with a backhand.
Monfils, cutting an imposing figure in his bright orange top with a shock of dark hair, let his intensity slip at the start of the set and Djokovic immediately seized the initiative with a break.
A time violation against Monfils rattled the Frenchman, who became embroiled in an argument with the umpire and was soon flat on his back receiving treatment on his abdominal muscles as the set slipped away from him.
Monfils, who conquered Roger Federer in the previous round, re-discovered his mojo at the start of the decider, rattling Djokovic.
Eventually, it was the Serb who made the crucial break, letting out a roar of triumph before going on to seal the match after an absorbing two hours and 22 minutes.
"Inexplicably I started serving quite badly, but not many unforced errors," said Djokovic. "It happens. I mean, I was preparing for this match as well as I prepare for every other. It´s just sometimes that you start off slowly and you´re not feeling the ball as much."
"Today was a very physical match and very intense," he added. "Both of us, we played many rallies. I knew coming into the match that he´s going to run for every ball and he´s going to make me play an extra shot."
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