Djokovic wins record third China Open title

BEIJING - World No.2 Novak Djokovic from Serbia captured a record third China Open title after edging past always-dangerous and talented Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final on Sunday.

Djokovic is the only player who can defended title here after winning in 2009 and 2010 and this time he made history again by winning the China Open for a record third time.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy after winning the men's singles final against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing October 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The 25-year-old took one hour and 45 minutes to claim the victory at 7-6(4), 6-2.

The opening set was very close, with Tsonga good at serving and registering seven aces while Djokovic looking more tactical. After exchanging breaks in the fifth and sixth games, both players held serve until the set was forced into tiebreak.

In the deciding tiebreak, Djokovic stormed to a 3-0 lead, and Tsonga stayed calm and pulled within 4-3. After that, Tsonga was inconsistent and made a couple of deadly unforced errors before Djokovic took the first set at 7-4.

With one set in hand, Djokovic started to call the shots in the second set while Tsonga, despite powering out nine more aces, found it hard to hold serve. After breaking in the third and fifth games, Djokovic never looked back.