BEIJING: Novak Djokovic won the China Open final 7-6(3), 0-1 on Tuesday after Alex de Minaur retired, securing his 102nd title.
Both players needed medical timeouts after an opening set that lasted 67 minutes. De Minaur returned with a white wrap around his left thigh and held serve, but stopped before Djokovic’s first service game of the second set.
The precise reason for De Minaur’s retirement is unknown. The world number nine apologised to spectators during the presentation and expressed disappointment at how the final had ended.
Djokovic had edged a closely contested opener on Diamond Court. He missed a break opportunity in the second game, saved one in the fifth and eventually took control of the tie-break.
De Minaur resisted further pressure on his serve before the Serbian won the decider seven points to three.
The result extended Djokovic’s unbeaten Beijing record to 34 matches and brought him a seventh title in the Chinese capital. He last lifted the trophy there in 2015.
At 39, Djokovic claimed his first title of the season and moved closer to Roger Federer’s career tally of 103. Jimmy Connors holds the Open Era record with 109 tour-level singles titles.
During the trophy ceremony, Djokovic explained that physical and health problems had complicated his year. He had arrived hoping to regain his rhythm, while recognising that his expectations now had to reflect different circumstances.
“I was just trying to find the good feeling on the court,” he said.
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Neither finalist had completed his semi-final on Monday. De Minaur advanced when Hubert Hurkacz retired injured, while officials disqualified Daniil Medvedev for hitting a spectator with a ball during his match against Djokovic.
Djokovic led Medvedev 7-5, 5-3 when that contest ended. Earlier in the tournament, he had come from a set down to beat both Bu Yunchaokete and Alexander Zverev.
His next scheduled appearance is at the Shanghai Masters, which begins on Wednesday, according to his official website.
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