Beijing, Oct. 6 (LaPresse) – Novak Djokovic triumphs at the ATP 500 Beijing tournament. The Serb, currently ranked No. 11, benefited from Australian Alex De Minaur’s retirement when he was one set ahead. De Minaur threw in the towel at 1-0 in his favor in the second set, after losing the first set 7-3 in the tie-break. For Djokovic, it is the seventh title won in as many appearances at the China Open (a 34-0 record at the tournament), and the 102nd of his career. “It has been eleven years since the last time I played here,” Djokovic later commented, holding the trophy in his arms. “I always have very high expectations and I always see myself holding the trophy, especially here in Beijing, a tournament where I have never lost. But I also know that reality these days is slightly different. It has been a very demanding season for me: I have had several physical and health problems, and I have just tried to regain the right feelings on court. I know that if I am feeling well and hitting the ball well, I can still compete at a high level. And this week has been proof of that.” “It’s a strange feeling. I wanted to celebrate because for me it has been one of the best weeks of the last two years. At the same time, though, he had retired at the beginning of the second set and I didn’t think it was right for me to jump for joy. But deep down I am very proud of this title,” Djokovic concluded, who thanks to today’s victory in Beijing moves to just one title behind Roger Federer (102) in the ranking of the most decorated players of all time, headed by Jimmy Connors (109).
ATP 500 Beijing, Djokovic triumphs: De Minaur retires in the second set
Beijing, Oct. 6 (LaPresse) – Novak Djokovic triumphs at the ATP 500 Beijing tournament. The Serb, currently ranked No. 11, benefited from Australian Alex De Minaur’s retirement when he was one set ahead. De Minaur threw in the towel at 1-0 in his favor in the second set, after losing the first set 7-3 in the tie-break. For Djokovic, it is the seventh title won in as many appearances at the China Open (a 34-0 record at the tournament), and the 102nd of his career. “It has been eleven years since the last time I played here,” Djokovic later commented, holding the trophy in his arms. “I always have very high expectations and I always see myself holding the trophy, especially here in Beijing, a tournament where I have never lost. But I also know that reality these days is slightly different. It has been a very demanding season for me: I have had several physical and health problems, and I have just tried to regain the right feelings on court. I know that if I am feeling well and hitting the ball well, I can still compete at a high level. And this week has been proof of that.” “It’s a strange feeling. I wanted to celebrate because for me it has been one of the best weeks of the last two years. At the same time, though, he had retired at the beginning of the second set and I didn’t think it was right for me to jump for joy. But deep down I am very proud of this title,” Djokovic concluded, who thanks to today’s victory in Beijing moves to just one title behind Roger Federer (102) in the ranking of the most decorated players of all time, headed by Jimmy Connors (109).