Novak Djokovic made his much‑anticipated return to the courts of Beijing eleven years after his previous appearance, extending his remarkable streak at the China Open to thirty straight wins with a solid performance on Wednesday. The Serbian star, who has lifted the China Open trophy six times in the past, faced Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the opening round. After a brief medical timeout in the second set, Djokovic gathered himself and closed out the match 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), advancing to the second round of the tournament. The next opponent on Djokovic’s schedule is local favorite Buyunchaokete Bu, who earned his place in the draw by defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6‑2, 5‑7, 6‑4.
Bu’s familiarity with the home crowd and conditions could provide an intriguing contrast to Djokovic’s seasoned experience. Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic admitted that the second set presented a physical challenge.
“In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh,” he told reporters. The comment came after a tough opening at the US Open and an early exit in Cincinnati, both of which left the 39‑year‑old feeling the strain of a demanding season. Despite the physical hiccup, Djokovic highlighted the strength of his service game.
“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.” His ability to hit a high percentage of first serves proved decisive, allowing him to control points and reduce the pressure on his baseline play. During the second set, at a 3‑2 deficit, Djokovic received treatment from the team physiotherapist.
The brief interruption did not appear to hinder his momentum; he promptly served two consecutive love games and displayed some of the best tennis of the match. Throughout the contest there was only a single service break – Djokovic broke Borges in his first service game – underscoring the tight nature of the encounter. The tie‑break that followed saw Djokovic surge ahead, creating four match points. Borges managed to save three, but the Serbian finally sealed the win when Borges clipped a shot into the net on his final opportunity.
Commentator Annabel Croft described the match as “really competitive by the end,” noting that Djokovic’s service games became increasingly efficient as the match progressed. Croft also pointed out the physical dimension of the contest, observing that Djokovic appeared uncomfortable at times but ultimately found a way to cross the finish line. Beyond the men’s singles, the Beijing tournament featured other notable storylines. British player Katie Boulter kicked off her campaign with a 6‑3, 6‑4 win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama.
Boulter’s victory sets up a clash with seventh seed and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova, marking the third meeting between the two in their careers and the second this year after Muchova’s straight‑sets triumph over Boulter in the second round of the US Open. On the men’s side, former US Open semi‑finalist Karen Khachanov continued his dominant run, dispatching Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6‑3, 6‑3. Khachanov’s powerful baseline play and aggressive serving have made him a formidable contender in Beijing, and his performance adds another layer of excitement to the tournament’s narrative.
For fans eager to follow the action, live streams are available without a contract on the NOW platform and through the Sky Sports app. Both the WTA and ATP segments of the China Open, as well as the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters, can be watched live via Sky Sports, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts worldwide can keep up with the unfolding drama.
Overall, Djokovic’s return to Beijing demonstrated that, even after a demanding season and at the age of 39, he remains a force to be reckoned with on the hard courts of Asia. His ability to adapt, recover from a brief medical pause, and execute his serve with precision underscores why he continues to add chapters to his storied career.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can sustain his winning streak and how his upcoming match against the crowd‑pleasing Bu will unfold. The China Open, with its blend of seasoned champions and rising talents, promises compelling tennis for the remainder of the week.