7th Heaven: Djokovic stays perfect, into the China Open final

Novak Djokovic’s perfect record in Beijing is still intact. It’s just getting harder to keep perfect.

Djokovic claimed his spot in the China Open final after a marathon two-set match against Daniil Medvedev ended prematurely on Monday. Djokovic was leading 7-5, 5-3 after two hours and 33 minutes when Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a spectator with a ball.

“Difficult circumstances to finish with,” Djokovic said. “I’m glad to go through and reach another final here in Beijing.”

The six-time event champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner improved to 33-0 in Beijing. In doing so, the 39-year-old became the oldest ATP 500 finalist. 

This year, however, has been a very different story for the fan favorite.

In his last China Open title run in 2015, Djokovic conceded just 18 games across five matches. This year, he has already conceded 45 through four matches, including two three-set battles and Monday’s epic test against Medvedev.

Djokovic sets up a Tuesday China Open final with Alex de Minaur, who advanced after Hubert Hurkacz retired with an adductor injury in their semifinal. De Minaur was leading 6-4, 3-2.

"It's been a long time since I've been surprised by what Novak can bring to the court," de Minaur said. "We as tennis players have seen what he's been able to do for basically his whole career. It is amazing to watch.

"Yesterday (against Zverev) was just another one of those matches where he played at an extremely high level. It was great to watch as a fan of the sport. I enjoyed it thoroughly. 

"Ultimately that's what tennis wants, right? We want everyone at their best."

Djokovic leads the head-to-head against de Minaur 3-1, winning their most recent matchup at Wimbledon last year in four sets. De Minaur, though, will have the advantage when it comes to rest, getting the walkover win in about an hour. 

“I’m sure he was enjoying himself, watching us pretty much die on court,” Djokovic joked of de Minaur. “I expect another battle, another physical match where I will not get too many free points.”

Monday’s match pushed Djokovic to his limits, but it also served as another reminder of why de Minaur — and the rest of the tennis world — have so much respect for what he can still produce at 39 years old.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been surprised by what Novak can bring to the court,” de Minaur said. “We as tennis players have seen what he’s been able to do for basically his whole career. It is amazing to watch.”

Djokovic and Medvedev’s meeting Monday was their first since their 2023 U.S. Open final, the most recent Grand Slam title Djokovic won. Following Monday’s win, Djokovic leads the head-to-head 11-5.

The match had a flurry of break points, with Djokovic having to save 16 of 18 on his serve, including 9 of 10 in the second set. Medvedev was slightly less clinical, saving 6 of 10.

Djokovic’s clutch gene was there from the beginning, saving three break points in the first game of the match and getting rewarded with an early “Novak! Novak! Novak!” chant from the crowd.

Both players traded breaks in the middle of the first set, playing grueling rallies that sent Djokovic into a hunched position after multiple points.

“Every point you had to work extremely hard,” Djokovic said. “At some point, I was just praying to get a little more time between points.”

Djokovic managed to break again to win the set 7-5 after an hour and 19 minutes.

Djokovic went down love-40 on his serve in the third game of the second set, giving Medvedev more chances to break ahead. Medvedev took control of the rally at 40-30, forcing a slice on the stretch from Djokovic that gave the Russian a swinging forehand in the service box, but he was unable to execute, sending the ball into the net.

“I was lucky that he missed some easy put-aways when he had some break points in the second,” Djokovic said. “His conversion of break points was not good today.”

Djokovic was able to gain a break to go up 4-2 before Medvedev hit a backhand winner up the line to break back in the next game. Medvedev was unable to end the cycle, hitting some costly unforced errors that gave Djokovic another break to serve for the match.

Djokovic was three points away from winning when Medvedev was defaulted.

Medvedev made himself available to the media after the hard-fought match and apologized repeatedly and profusely to the fan he accidentally struck with the ball.

“I feel terribly for him actually because, again, I just hope he’s OK,” he said. “That’s the most important. The rest, we move on. I just really care about him right now. Hopefully, I can meet him and make up for it somehow.”

Though they have played just four times, there will be no secrets between Djokovic and de Minaur when they clash for the China Open trophy. 

"Novak, he's got the ability to change directions so easily," de Minaur said. "When he's on, his top level is very hard to beat. Doesn't really have too many holes."

As for Djokovic, who is two sets away from his 102nd career title, recovery will be the key. Asked what he expects in Tuesday's final showdown, an exhausted Djokovic let loose a rueful laugh. 

"A lot of running," he said. "Again, it doesn't get easier when it comes to running, that's for sure.

"Look, I expect another battle, another physical match where probably I will not get too many free points. That's why I'm turning my head towards recovery and trying to get out on the court as fresh as I possibly can to deliver the goods."

By Ellis von Fintel