China Open: Novak Djokovic wins 102nd career title, Carlos Alcaraz wins Japan trophy
Novak Djokovic secured his 102nd career singles title when Alex de Minaur withdrew injured from the China Open final. The Australian retired after playing one game following a long opening set.
Both players took medical timeouts during the 68-minute first set. When play resumed, De Minaur managed only one game before ending the match.
Only Jimmy Connors, with 109 titles, and Roger Federer, with 103, have won more singles trophies than Djokovic. The 24-time Grand Slam champion said he had never lost in Beijing.
This was Djokovic’s second final of the year. He lost the Australian Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, reached Wimbledon’s semi-finals and exited the French Open in the third round.
Alcaraz won the Japan Open earlier, earning a title in his third tournament since a wrist injury in April. He returned at the US Open in August and reached the quarter-finals.
Key points
- Djokovic claimed his 102nd title after De Minaur retired injured in the final.
- Connors and Federer remain ahead of Djokovic on career singles titles.
- Alcaraz won the Japan Open in his third tournament since an April wrist injury.