Novak Djokovic won a record seventh China Open to move within one ATP title of Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Australia’s Alex de Minaur. (Photo by Reuters) Novak Djokovic moved within one title of Roger Federer’s career after winning a record seventh China Open crown on Tuesday to take his ATP singles titles to 102.The sixth-seeded Serb was presented with the trophy after Australia’s Alex de Minaur withdrew with a groin injury during the final. Djokovic was leading 7-6(3), 0-1 when the fifth seed had to stop after playing with a heavily bandaged left thigh.

Djokovic extended his perfect Beijing record

The victory extended Djokovic’s unbeaten run at the China Open to 34-0 and gave him his seventh title at the tournament. It also marked the 39-year-old’s 21st straight year with at least one singles title, underscoring the extraordinary longevity of his career.Djokovic now has 102 ATP titles, just one behind Federer’s 103 and seven behind Jimmy Connors’ Open Era record of 109.De Minaur pushed Djokovic hard in the opening set, using aggressive shots and saving two break points. The Australian gave away 11 winning points to Djokovic’s three, but was undone by unforced errors in the tiebreak, which the Serb won 7-3.Both players required medical treatment after the opening set, but it was De Minaur who was unable to continue.“I’m not feeling great… I want to apologize to all the wonderful fans,” De Minaur said as he presented the trophy.“I didn’t want to end like this… I hope to see you next year,” the 27-year-old added.

Third top 10 win in a row in Beijing

Djokovic’s run to the title included three straight victories over top-10 opponents. He defeated US Open champion Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals before advancing over Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals after the Russian was disqualified for hitting a spectator with the ball.De Minaur reached the final after Hubert Hurkacz was injured during their semi-final, but was chasing his first China Open title and second trophy of the season after triumphing in Rotterdam in February.For Djokovic, the triumph in Beijing represents another milestone in his career, which continues to be written in his record book. His only other final appearance that year ended in defeat against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.