Novak Djokovic has won six titles in six previous trips to the China Open. He is one win away from making it seven for seven.
Djokovic, who is an unbelievable 33-0 lifetime in Beijing, will battle Alex de Minaur in Tuesday’s final. It marks their fifth meeting, with the 39-year-old leading the head-to-head series 3-1. De Minaur’s lone victory came at the 2024 United Cup, although Djokovic dominated their only other outdoor hard-court contest 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 at the 2023 Australian. They most recently faced each other at Wimbledon last summer, when the Serb cruised 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic’s 33rd win in Beijing was a memorable one on Monday night, as Daniil Medvedev got defaulted while trailing 7-5, 5-3. After the ball from a Djokovic winner caromed off the back wall, Medvedev swung and hit it right into the face of a man who was sitting in the front row. The man was clearly injured to some extent and Medvedev was immediately defaulted.
Of course, it’s not like Djokovic needs any help. The world No. 11 appeared to be well on his way to another victory when it ended, this on the heels of ousting Nuno Borges, Bu Yunchaokete, and Alexander Zverev earlier in the event. There were some signs of physical problems against Borges and Bu, but Djokovic looked very good for the most part despite being tested in all kinds of grueling rallies against Zverev and Medvedev.
This is a massive matchup in terms of Nitto ATP Finals ramifications, especially now that Medvedev will presumably be unable to add any ranking points. Medvedev is currently in eighth place, followed by De Minaur in ninth and Djokovic just 20 points behind the Aussie in 10th. De Minaur did not play well during the North American hard-court swing, but he upset Zverev at the Laver Cup and so far in Beijing has dismissed in-form opponents Mariano Navone, Quentin Halys, Hangzhou runner-up Andrey Rublev, and Chengdu runner-up Hubert Hurkacz.
Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, Djokovic is looking more like the Djokovic of old this week as opposed to the Djokovic of recent stumbles in Cincinnati and New York. De Minaur could have the physical edge if this turns into a three-set marathon, but it probably won’t get to that point.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
WWW?
Djokovic is serving super well; better than de Minaur any day. Defending, about the same on a good day these days? Physical edge and freshness goes to de Minaur. Versatility and the mental edge to Djokovic, especially now that he can smell the tournament win.
De Minaur always performs best at team events. That’s where he previously *finally* beat an unsuspecting Djokovic.
Having said that, it seems de Minaur is now letting go of the “must defend points and stay Top 10” psychological baggage — he actually played better when working his way up (and before he did his hip) and seems ATM to be getting back to trying to reclaim that nothing-to-lose mindset. So while I tend to think Djokovic will win this if he’s feeling good, I also think de Minaur has a better chance here of beating Djokovic in individual competition than in his previous attempts and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a mesmerising three-setter full of chess if both show up at their best. If not it could be one-sided either side.
Djokovic “wins”
Salty?
Well to be fair, he did win the first set fair and square and it wasn’t his fault de Minaur had to retire. It would be a different matter if he’d lost the first set. Then he’d merely have been the last person standing.
Was a highly competitive first set though!
Shame they couldn’t do more. I wonder if de Minaur will be playing in Shanghai now or not.
Checking the news I found out that Nole broke Rafa’s record of 31 unbeaten matches at one tournament (Rafa had 31 consecutive wins at FO before he lost first match), after Beijing Nole stands at 34 consecutive wins, yet to lose the match.
He also improved two of his own records, 21 years in a row winning at least one tournament a year (Rafa 19 and Roger 15 years).
He is also the oldest tennis player in open era to win the tournament.
I think that’s amazing stuff. Good on him!
Novak would’ve most likely have won the match anyway regardless, cracking first set, well done Novak
Rafas was in a GS, Novaks was a 500 tournament, it’s apples and oranges
Rafa now has the most uninterrupted apples record and Djokovic the most uninterrupted oranges. Amazing stuff by both.🍏🍊
Yep