Novak Djokovic: Former world No 1 wins China Open title without facing a match point in semi-final and final

06.10.2026, 16:35 skysports.com

Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic won his seventh China Open title without needing a match point in his semi-final and final.

Djokovic, who was awarded a win after his semi-final opponent Daniil Medvedev was disqualified after hitting a spectator with the ball, claimed the 102nd title of his career following the retirement of De Minaur in the final.

De Minaur, who left the ​court for ⁠a medical ⁠timeout after the first set, ‌continued playing with a heavy bandage on ‌his left thigh. But he could not continue after winning ⁠the first game ​of the second ​set.

Djokovic narrowly won ​the first set, ⁠with the match poised at ⁠7-6 (7-3) 0-1 when ​De Minaur retired.

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34 wins0 losses5 sets dropped in 34 matches12 top 10 wins7 titles

"It's been 11 years since I last played here," 39-year-old Djokovic explained during the trophy ceremony. "I always have high expectations of myself and always want to visualise myself with the trophy, particularly here in Beijing, a place where I have never lost. But I was also aware that reality is a little bit different these days.

"This year has been quite challenging for me: Lots of physical and health issues. I was just trying to find a good feeling on the court. I know that I'm feeling well and striking the ball well, I can compete at the highest level. This week has been evidence of that."

The 102nd tour-level title of Djokovic's career moves him within one of Roger Federer's 103 for second-most in the Open Era, behind only Jimmy Connors' 109

The 39-year-old Serbian also extended his perfect record at the ATP 500 event to 34-0.

It has also significantly strengthened his hopes of returning to the Nitto ATP Finals this year.

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"I want to say sorry to all the amazing fans who came to watch this match," said De Minaur. "I didn't want to finish like this, so I'm really sorry. To my team - those who are here and also back home - thank you. It's been a great week and I'm sure there's plenty more to come."

"It's just the anticlimactic nature of it," a shocked former British No 1 Johanna Konta told Sky Sports Tennis.

"He was the best player this week because you can only ask a player to deal with the challenges that are presented to them and Djokovic dealt with the challenges that were ahead of him and that's all there is to it.

"We do not want to see matches end in retirement and Djokovic himself probably wouldn't want that either. However, I'm sure he was please that he wasn't necessarily stretched to his physical limits but he will be pleased with the good things that he did do this week.

"I would have been less surprised had Novak Djokovic retired."

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