Novak Djokovic made his return to competitive tennis in Beijing after an eleven‑year hiatus from the city, extending his remarkable streak at the China Open to thirty straight wins on Wednesday. The Serbian star, who has claimed the title in Beijing six times, faced Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the opening round.
Despite needing a medical timeout early in the second set, Djokovic rallied to win 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), booking his place in the second round of the tournament. The next opponent on Djokovic’s schedule is local favorite Buyunchaokete Bu, who advanced after a hard‑fought 6‑2, 5‑7, 6‑4 victory over Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo. Bu’s home‑court support will add an extra layer of pressure for the world‑number‑one as he looks to continue his dominance in China.
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, referring to Borges’s improved play. The Serbian had entered Beijing after disappointing early exits at both the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters, making this win a crucial confidence boost. When asked about his serving, Djokovic highlighted the importance of his first‑serve percentage.
“When I was serving, I was dominating and going through my games quite comfortably. It was helping getting those first serves in, that high percentages 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 high‑percentage serving allowed him to dictate points and keep pressure on Borges throughout the match.
At 39 years old, Djokovic required a brief on‑court treatment from the team physiotherapist when he fell behind 3‑2 in the second set. The treatment did not appear to hinder his performance; he quickly regained composure, serving two consecutive love games and delivering some of the best tennis of his career that day. The match featured only a single service break, which came when Djokovic broke Borges in his opponent’s first service game, underscoring the dominance of Djokovic’s serve.
The tie‑break proved decisive. Djokovic surged ahead, creating four match points, but only needed one as Borges inadvertently hit the net.
The Serbian’s composure under pressure was evident, and his ability to close out the set without allowing Borges back into the contest demonstrated his experience in high‑stakes moments. Commentator Annabel Croft, speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, described the contest as “really competitive by the end.” She added, “Djokovic managed to find a way towards that finishing line and actually his service games became more and more efficient. So much of what we talked about in commentary was the physicality of the match and how uncomfortable Djokovic felt.” Croft’s analysis highlighted the blend of physical resilience and tactical adjustments that allowed Djokovic to prevail.
Beyond the men’s singles, the tournament featured other notable performances. British player Katie Boulter opened her Beijing campaign with a straight‑sets win, 6‑3, 6‑4, over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama. Boulter’s victory sets up a clash with seventh seed and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova. This will be the third meeting between the two, and the second this season after Muchova defeated Boulter in straight sets during the US Open second round.
On the ATP side, former US Open semifinalist Karen Khachanov continued his strong form, dispatching Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6‑3, 6‑3. Khachanov’s powerful baseline play and aggressive serving have made him a formidable opponent in the Asian swing, and his win further cements his status as a contender in the latter stages of the season. Fans can follow the action live through various streaming platforms.
The tournament is available on the NOW service without a contract, as well as the Sky Sports App, which offers live coverage of both the WTA and ATP China Open events, along with the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters. These options provide flexible viewing for tennis enthusiasts worldwide. Overall, Djokovic’s victory in Beijing marks a significant milestone after a period of early exits in major tournaments. His ability to adapt physically, maintain a high first‑serve percentage, and execute under pressure signals that he remains a dominant force on the tour, even as he approaches the twilight of his career.
The upcoming match against Buyunchaokete Bu will test his resilience further, especially with the added challenge of a supportive home crowd for his opponent. Meanwhile, the tournament continues to showcase emerging talent and seasoned veterans alike, promising exciting tennis for fans across the globe.