Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic won his seventh China Open title without needing a match point in either the semi-final or final. Djokovic was awarded a win after his semi-final opponent Daniil Medvedev was disqualified for hitting a spectator with the ball. He then claimed his 102nd career title after Alex De Minaur retired during the final.
De Minaur, who had a heavy bandage on his left thigh after a medical timeout, struggled to continue after winning the first game of the second set. The match ended at 7-6 (7-3) 0-1 when De Minaur retired. Djokovic, 39, extended his perfect record at the ATP 500 event to 34-0 and moved within one title of Roger Federer's 103 for second-most in the Open Era, behind only Jimmy Connors' 109.
Djokovic said it had been 11 years since he last played in Beijing and that he always visualized winning the trophy there, noting his perfect record at the venue. He also mentioned facing physical and health challenges this year but felt he could still compete at the highest level. De Minaur apologized to fans for retiring, saying he didn't want to finish that way.
Former British No 1 Johanna Konta expressed concern over matches ending in retirement, calling it anticlimactic and noting the lack of emotional release.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing