Novak Djokovic made his long-awaited return to Beijing, stepping onto the China Open courts for the first time in eleven years, and continued his remarkable streak by notching his 30th straight win at the tournament on Wednesday. The Serbian star, who has lifted the China Open trophy six times in the past, faced Portugal's Nuno Borges in a first‑round match that tested his resilience and showcased his enduring class. After a solid start, Djokovic encountered a brief setback in the second set, prompting a medical timeout. Despite the interruption, he quickly regained his rhythm and closed out the match with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) victory, securing his place in the second round of the event.
The win was especially significant as it marked his first triumph since his Wimbledon success earlier in the season, following early exits at the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters. Speaking after the match, Djokovic reflected on the physical challenges he faced: "In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh," he admitted.
He added that his service game had been a key factor, noting, "When I was serving, I was dominating and going through my games quite comfortably. Getting those first serves in at a high percentage makes my life easier in my service games, and I played a great tie‑break to close it out in two, so I am very happy about that." At 39 years old, Djokovic demonstrated that age has not diminished his competitive fire. He received treatment from the team's physio when he fell behind 3-2 in the second set, yet the brief medical pause did not appear to impede his performance.
He went on to win his next two service games without losing a point, delivering some of the finest tennis of the evening. Throughout the match there was only a single service break – Djokovic's break of Borges' first serve – underscoring how tightly contested the encounter was.
The tie‑break proved decisive. Djokovic surged ahead, building a four‑match‑point lead, but only needed one as Borges clipped a forehand into the net, handing the Serbian his second set and the match.
Commentator Annabel Croft described the contest as "really competitive" toward the end, noting that Djokovic's service games became increasingly efficient as the match progressed. She highlighted the physical dimension of the battle, saying, "So much of what we talked about in commentary was the physicality of the match and how uncomfortable Djokovic felt." Looking ahead, Djokovic's next opponent will be the local favorite Buyunchaokete Bu, who earned his spot by defeating Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. The upcoming clash promises to be a test of Djokovic's adaptability against a player buoyed by home‑court support.
The China Open also featured other notable performances. British No.1 Katie Boulter opened her Beijing campaign with a confident 6-3, 6-4 win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama.
Boulter's next challenge will be a showdown with seventh seed and Wimbledon runner‑up Karolina Muchova, marking the third meeting between the two in their careers and the second this season after Muchova's straight‑sets victory over Boulter at the US Open. On the men's side, Russian contender Karen Khachanov continued his recent dominance over Felix Auger‑Aliassime, dispatching the Canadian with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 scoreline. Khachanov's aggressive baseline play and powerful serve have made him a formidable opponent in Beijing, and his performance adds another layer of intrigue to the tournament's later stages.
For fans wanting to follow the action, the matches are available for streaming without a contract on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. Both the WTA and ATP China Open events, as well as the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters, can be watched live through Sky Sports' comprehensive coverage. Overall, Djokovic's return to the Chinese capital was a reminder of his enduring talent and competitive spirit.
Overcoming a brief physical hurdle, he displayed the precision, mental fortitude, and tactical acumen that have defined his storied career. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can translate this early success into deeper runs, potentially adding another title to his illustrious résumé and further extending his impressive winning streak at the China Open.