Alcaraz wins Tokyo title and Djokovic claims 102nd career title

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic both secured ATP-500 tournament titles on Tuesday, winning contrasting finals in Tokyo and Beijing respectively. Alcaraz defended his crown in Tokyo by defeating Jiri Lehecka in straight sets, ending an eight-month title drought caused by persistent wrist issues. Meanwhile, Djokovic captured his 102nd career title at the China Open after opponent Alex de Minaur retired with a thigh injury early in the second set.

Carlos Alcaraz Defends Tokyo Title Against Jiri Lehecka

Playing in Tokyo, 23-year-old Carlos Alcaraz claimed his 27th career ATP singles title by overcoming Czech Republic player Jiri Lehecka 7:6 (7:4), 6:4. The Spaniard needed one hour and 37 minutes to dispatch the 19th-ranked Lehecka on Tuesday, sealing the victory when he converted his first match point. The triumph marks Alcaraz’s first tournament victory in roughly eight months, having spent considerable time sidelined due to a troublesome wrist injury. By successfully defending the title he won in the Japanese capital last year, the world number three proved his fitness and competitive sharpness.

Novak Djokovic Extends Undefeated Beijing Record to 34 Matches

In Beijing, 39-year-old Novak Djokovic claimed the 102nd title of his professional career following an abrupt end to the China Open final. Djokovic led Australia’s Alex de Minaur 7:6 (7:3), 0:1 on Tuesday when his 27-year-old opponent was forced to retire due to a left thigh injury, which required medical attention and a bandage during a medical timeout. The victory keeps the Serbian star undefeated at the Beijing tournament across his career, boasting a 34-0 match record and seven tournament titles in the Chinese capital. The victory provides a welcome turnaround for Djokovic following a surprising first-round exit at the US Open and intermittent physical setbacks.

Historic Milestones and Semifinal Surprises Across Asian Tours

With his victory in Beijing, Djokovic became the first male tennis player to win a tour-level singles title after turning 39 years old since Ken Rosewall accomplished the feat at age 43 in Hong Kong in 1977. Both players’ paths to the finals featured unusual disruptions. Neither of the tournament’s semifinal matchups in Beijing reached a natural conclusion: Djokovic advanced to the title match after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified, while de Minaur reached the final following a mid-match injury retirement by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

Tournament Records and Career Tally Comparison

The Tuesday finals highlighted distinct milestones for two of the sport’s most prominent competitors:

• Carlos Alcaraz: Captured his 27th career ATP title and his first since returning from wrist rehabilitation, defending his Tokyo championship from the previous year.
• Novak Djokovic: Secured his 102nd career singles title, maintaining a flawless 34-0 match record at the China Open in Beijing.
• Age Milestone: Djokovic stands as the first male tennis pro since 1977 to win a tour-level title after completing his 39th year.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Tokyo and Beijing Finals

How long had Carlos Alcaraz gone without a tournament victory? Alcaraz’s victory in Tokyo ended a nearly eight-month title drought caused by lingering wrist problems.

What was the score of the Beijing final when Alex de Minaur retired? Novak Djokovic had won the opening set in a tiebreak 7:6 (7:3) and the score was 0:1 in the second set on Tuesday before the Australian competitor pulled out due to a thigh injury.

How many career titles does Novak Djokovic now hold? The 39-year-old Serbian star holds 102 tour-level singles titles, alongside an undefeated record at the China Open spanning 34 matches.

More on this story: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jiri Lehecka to defend ATP 500 de Tokyo title · Carlos Alcaraz: Aggressive shift secures Tokyo ATP 500 final spot