Djokovic beats Tsonga for third China Open win

Beijing: World No 2 Novak Djokovic overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets yesterday to win the China Open for a third time.

The 25-year-old Serb defeated the world No 7 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to maintain his unbeaten record at the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing and take the winner’s prize of $530,570.

Little separated the players throughout the entire opening set. The first four games went to serve before Tsonga made a breakthrough in the fifth game, breaking Djokovic without losing a point.

But the Serb immediately broke back and the next six games went with serve to force a tie break, where Djokovic raced to a 4-1 lead.

Tsonga won two quick points before Djokovic spurned an opportunity while 5-3 ahead, pushing a simple forehand shot well wide.

But two mistakes from the Frenchman, including a backhand half-volley into the net, gave the tiebreaker and set to Djokovic.

The first two service games of the second set were held before Djokovic broke in the third and was spurred on to take the next two games, racing to a 4-1 lead, then came from behind to hold serve in the sixth.

Tsonga held in the seventh before Djokovic did the same to take the set and the match in one hour and 41 minutes.

Djokovic has now won the China Open on the three occasions he has competed, his previous titles coming in 2009 and 2010, and his record at the tournament stands at 14-0.

The Serb had won his previous five meetings against Tsonga, including three this year, and was ultimately too strong for the Frenchman, who was making his first China Open final appearance and only his third full match of this year’s tournament.