Djokovic Cruises Into Beijing Final for Shot at 102nd Career Title

Novak Djokovic's love affair with Beijing continued on Monday as the 39-year-old reached his seventh China Open final and extended his astonishing unbeaten record at the tournament to 33-0. He will face Australia's Alex de Minaur in Tuesday's final, with a 102nd ATP Tour title within reach.

Djokovic's path to the final was dramatic. He first ended Alexander Zverev's quarter-final hopes 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, then advanced when Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from their semi-final with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3. The Serbian is now the oldest man ever to reach an ATP 500 final, surpassing yet another age milestone in a season that has tested him.

"I am a little bit shocked, to be honest, with the turn of events," Djokovic admitted of the Medvedev ending, noting he himself was disqualified from the 2020 US Open in similar circumstances. De Minaur, ranked ninth, advanced by retirement after Hubert Hurkacz quit trailing 6-4, 3-2, reaching his 10th ATP 500 final. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 3-1.

A win on Tuesday would be Djokovic's first ATP 500 title since Astana in 2022 — and the perfect answer to those questioning his future.