Djokovic Wins Seventh Beijing Title for 102nd Career Crown

Novak Djokovic added another line to his legend in Beijing on Monday, winning the China Open for a seventh time after Alex de Minaur was forced to retire hurt in the final. Djokovic took the first set 7-6(3) before the Australian called it a day one game into the second, trailing 0-1 with a groin injury.

The victory gave Djokovic the 102nd title of his astonishing career, moving him within one of Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 109. It was a bittersweet ending for de Minaur, who had battled through the week but could not continue after the injury flared up early in the second set.

Djokovic's path to the title had its own drama: semifinal opponent Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from their match after striking a spectator with a ball in frustration, handing the Serb a place in the final under unusual circumstances.

The 39-year-old showed once again that he remains the man to beat at the events he targets. Seven titles in Beijing — a tournament record — speak to a dominance that spans nearly two decades. With the season's biggest indoor events still to come, Djokovic's hunt for Connors' record is very much alive.