Novak Djokovic wins China Open after De Minaur retires injured
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
BEIJING: Novak Djokovic claimed his 102nd career title after Alex de Minaur retired injured during the China Open final on Tuesday.
The victory extended Djokovic’s unbeaten record in Beijing to 34 matches and earned the Serbian star his seventh China Open title. It was his first triumph at the tournament since 2015.
The 39-year-old Djokovic took the opening set 7-6 (7/3) in a closely contested battle that lasted more than an hour. De Minaur won the first game of the second set but was forced to end the match after suffering a left adductor injury.
The Australian, ranked ninth in the world, had received medical treatment and returned to the court with his left thigh wrapped. However, he was unable to continue.
Djokovic said his determination and ability to keep fighting had played a major role in helping him remain successful throughout his career.
The Serbian admitted that the current season had been challenging because of physical and health problems, but he was pleased to rediscover his form in Beijing.
“I was just trying to find the good feeling on the court,” Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony.
The tournament also saw Djokovic overcome several difficult challenges on his way to the final. He defeated China’s Bu Yunchaokete in a demanding three-set match before beating top seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals.
Djokovic then reached the final after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified in their semi-final.
Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding his route to the title, Djokovic secured another significant milestone. The victory means he has won at least one title in every season for 21 consecutive years.
He also became the oldest player to win a singles final since Ken Rosewall won in Hong Kong at the age of 43 in 1977.
Muchova advances in women’s draw
In the women’s competition, seventh seed Karolina Muchova defeated former world number one Naomi Osaka in a closely fought match to reach the quarter-finals.
Muchova won 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (9/7) after a contest lasting two hours and 52 minutes. Osaka saved eight match points before Muchova finally secured victory with a decisive volley.
Muchova will next face fellow Czech player Nikola Bartunkova.
Elsewhere, Russia’s Mirra Andreeva comfortably defeated Ukraine’s Daria Snigur 6-2, 6-2 to book her place in the quarter-finals, where she will meet compatriot Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Alexandrova also advanced after defeating Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-2.
