Djokovic Captures Third Straight Beijing Title

Written by: Staff on 7th October 2012

Djokovic Captures Third Straight Beijing Title

epa03424252 Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses his trophy after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during their final match at the China Open in Beijing, China, 06 October 2012. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

(Original Story: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/10/40/Beijing-Final-Djokovic-Wins-Third-Straight-Title.aspx)

Novak Djokovic won his third straight China Open title on Sunday.

The top seed recorded his sixth straight victory over third-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(4), 6-2 in one hour and 42 minutes for the 32nd trophy of his career (32-19 in finals). It was his 40th hard-court match win of the season.

“I am planning to come back to the China Open next year,” said Djokovic. “It’s been one of my most successful tournaments. This is where I love to play. I love the conditions and, as I mentioned before, I have lots of support from the fans who are very loyal and very nice.

Djokovic is now 14-0 lifetime at the ATP World Tour 500 hard-court tournament in Beijing. It was the fifth time he has three-peated at a tournament (also Australian Open, Dubai, Miami and Canada).

Djokovic earned $530,570 in prize money and 500 South African Airways ATP Ranking points to increase his lead to 1,490 points over Roger Federer (8,920) in the South African Airways ATP Rankings Race To London.

When asked about the battle to clinch the year-end World No. 1 ranking, Djokovic said, “That’s the target. This will definitely help me in that race, but it’s still quite open. There are still tournaments to come, big ones. Shanghai, obviously the first 1000 event that is next week. I want to try to get as far as I can in the tournament, obviously taking one match at a time as I always do.”

Tsonga, who is hoping to join Djokovic at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London next month, received $239,200 and 300 points after competing in his 15th ATP World Tour final (9-6 overall).

Topics: ATP tennis news, Beijing tennis news, China Open, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Tennis News