Djokovic and Alcaraz Claim Beijing and Tokyo Crowns as Shanghai Main Draw Begins
Djokovic secures 102nd title as De Minaur retires. Alcaraz tops Lehecka in Tokyo for 10th straight win.
Why this match matters
The Asian hardcourt swing crowned two champions on Tuesday before immediately shifting focus south. In Beijing, Novak Djokovic captured his seventh China Open title and the 102nd ATP singles trophy of his storied career when Australia’s Alex de Minaur retired trailing 7-6(3), 0-1 due to an acute groin injury. The victory extends Djokovic’s flawless career record at the National Tennis Center to 33-0, capping a remarkable week in which Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during their semifinal when a stray ball struck a spectator.
What actually happened
Concurrently at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Carlos Alcaraz retained his Japan Open crown with a disciplined 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Czech standout Jiri Lehecka. The triumph marked Alcaraz’s 10th consecutive match victory dating back through his Laver Cup run, reinforcing the Spaniard’s baseline authority on fast hard courts. Both champions boarded overnight flights to Shanghai where the Rolex Shanghai Masters main draw begins on Wednesday.
What happens next
With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined from the Masters 1000 event in Shanghai to recover from recent physical strain, Alexander Zverev occupies the top seeding line while Alcaraz anchors the bottom half of the 96-player bracket. First-round matches get underway Wednesday morning at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, featuring Grand Slam veterans Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori as the top 32 seeds await their weekend second-round entrances.
Sources
Every score and ranking on this page is locked to a named source. If it is not here, it is not on the page.