Novak Djokovic began the Beijing ATP 500 final against Alex de Minaur on Tuesday with history again within reach, holding his opening service game to 15 for a 1-0 lead on the Diamond Court.
The Serbian, 39 and ranked No. 11, is chasing a seventh Beijing title and a 34th victory from 34 matches at the Chinese tournament. Across the net is De Minaur, the 27-year-old Australian ranked ninth in the world, seeking to interrupt a record that has become part of Djokovic’s long relationship with the event.
Quick facts
- The final started on Tuesday, 6 October, no earlier than 13:00 Italian time, or 19:00 locally in Beijing.
- Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 4-1 after five meetings.
- The Serbian won their latest match, at Wimbledon in 2025.
- De Minaur’s sole win over Djokovic came at the 2024 United Cup.
- The Beijing champion earns $764,750 and 500 ranking points; the runner-up receives $411,480 and 330 points.
Djokovic’s route to the final has demanded recovery as much as control. He beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2), then came through a three-set contest against Bu Yunchaokete, losing the first set before prevailing 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.
His quarter-final against Alexander Zverev followed a similar pattern: Djokovic dropped the opener but turned the match around for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win. Zverev later made a pointed, much-discussed remark suggesting Djokovic now speaks about Grand Slams “because by now…”
The semi-final against Daniil Medvedev ended unusually. Djokovic was ahead 7-5, 5-3 when Medvedev was disqualified after hitting a spectator in the stands with a ball while play was stopped.
De Minaur has also navigated a demanding week. He opened with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory over Mariano Navone, then survived Quentin Halys 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5.
The Australian recovered from a one-set deficit to defeat Andrey Rublev 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the last eight. His semi-final was shorter, with Hubert Hurkacz retiring while De Minaur led 6-4, 3-2.
Both finalists received a strong welcome as they entered the court in Beijing. Djokovic made the steadier first move, conceding only one point in his opening service game, but the final offered De Minaur an opportunity to reshape the tournament’s familiar ending.
In Italy, the match is available on Sky Sport Tennis and Sky Sport Uno, with streaming offered through NOW and Sky Go for subscribers.
