Novak Djokovic Wins China Open as de Minaur Retires
Novak Djokovic claimed the China Open title after Alex de Minaur retired injured in the final.
Novak Djokovic collected his 102nd career singles title after Alex de Minaur retired injured during the China Open final. The result extends Djokovic's remarkable record in Beijing and gives him a needed boost after a difficult season.
Djokovic takes title after early final retirement
Novak Djokovic won the China Open when Alex de Minaur was forced to retire with an apparent left thigh issue during the final. Djokovic had taken the opening set in a tiebreak and had moved ahead early in the next set before the Australian stopped.
The final ended suddenly. Both players received treatment after a 68-minute opening set, but De Minaur could play only one game after they returned. Djokovic's title total now stands at 102, a mark that places him close to the very top of the men's career list.
Beijing remains Djokovic's strongest stage
Djokovic has now won 34 straight matches at the China Open, where he has lifted the trophy seven times. Beijing suits him. He said the event carries special weight because it is a place where he has never been beaten, and this victory preserved that record.
The title also continues a run of 21 consecutive seasons with at least one singles trophy. Roger Federer remains ahead of Djokovic with 103 career singles titles. Djokovic's recent completed record is 7-3, and Court Shark lists him at No. 11 as this result pushes him back toward the top 10.
A demanding route to the final
The Beijing run included a win over world number two Alexander Zverev before Djokovic reached the final. He also led Daniil Medvedev by a set and a break in the semifinal when Medvedev was defaulted. It was only Djokovic's second final of the year.
His season has contained sharp swings. Djokovic reached the Australian Open final after beating Sinner, then lost that final to Alcaraz and later dealt with physical and health problems. He also made the Wimbledon semifinals, but Joao Fonseca beat him in the third round at the French Open. The China Open was his first title in more than a year after a reduced schedule intended to protect his body.
Alcaraz defends Tokyo title
Carlos Alcaraz also finished the week with a title, defending the Japan Open in Tokyo against Jiri Lehecka. He recovered from an early service break and won in straight sets. The trophy is his third of the season.
Tokyo was only his third tournament since a wrist injury in April. Alcaraz returned at the US Open and reached the quarterfinals before Ben Shelton beat him in a five-set match. Court Shark has Alcaraz at No. 3, with a 9-1 record across his last 10 completed matches. His recovery has quickly produced another title and a strong finish to the Asian swing.
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