Djokovic wins China Open after de Minaur retires, extends unbeaten Beijing record
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineNovak Djokovic claimed the China Open title on Tuesday after Alex de Minaur retired from the final, giving the Serbian his 102nd career title and extending his perfect record in Beijing.
Djokovic won a gruelling opening set 7-6 (7/3) before de Minaur, who had moved 1-0 ahead in the second set, ended the contest because of a groin injury.
The 39-year-old said: “I always want to visualise myself with the trophy, particularly here in Beijing.”
Djokovic added: “But I was also quite aware that reality is a little bit different these days,” while reflecting on a difficult year affected by “physical and health issues”.
He also said: “I was just trying to find the good feeling on the court.”
The opening set lasted more than an hour in a physically demanding contest, with both players requiring medical timeouts before the second set.
De Minaur returned to the court after his timeout with a white wrap around his left thigh before ultimately retiring.
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The world No. 9 told the crowd: “I don’t feel great.”
He added: “I want to say sorry to the amazing fans that came to watch… I didn’t want to finish like this.”
The Australian had reached the final after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semi-final on Monday, while Djokovic advanced when Daniil Medvedev was disqualified after hitting a spectator with a ball while trailing 7-5, 5-3.
Djokovic’s victory made it 34 wins from 34 matches in Beijing and secured his seventh China Open title, extending his unbeaten record at the tournament.
The title was his first in Beijing since 2015 and came after a difficult route to the trophy, including a quarter-final victory over top seed Alexander Zverev and a three-set comeback against home favourite Bu Yunchaokete.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion also extended his record of winning at least one ATP singles title in 21 consecutive seasons.
He became the oldest champion of an ATP 500 tournament since the category was introduced in 2009 and moved to within one title of Roger Federer’s 103 career crowns for second place on the Open Era list.
Djokovic’s run to the 2026 China Open title was also unusual in that he did not face a match point in either the semi-final or final.
In the women’s draw, seventh seed Karolina Muchova reached the quarter-finals after defeating former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (9/7) in a match lasting two hours and 52 minutes.
Muchova overcame 50 unforced errors and saved eight match points before sealing victory with a winning volley.
The Czech said: “I was shaking. I’m happy I made the last volley… Naomi could be standing here. It’s me, and I’m really grateful for it.”
She will face compatriot Nikola Bartunkova in the next round.
Earlier, Russia’s Mirra Andreeva beat Ukraine’s Daria Snigur 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals, where she will meet fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Alexandrova, ranked 28th, defeated Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-2, ending the Czech player’s attempt to return to the Beijing final she reached last year.
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