Novak Djokovic made his long‑awaited return to Beijing this week, stepping back onto the courts of the China Open for the first time in eleven years. The Serbian star, already a six‑time champion in the Chinese capital, continued his remarkable streak by logging his 30th straight win at the tournament on Wednesday. In a match that highlighted both his enduring skill and his resilience after a challenging start to the season, Djokovic overcame Portugal's Nuno Borges in straight sets, 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), to advance to the second round of the event. The contest began with Djokovic establishing control early, using his powerful serve and precise groundstrokes to dictate play.
He broke Borges’ first service game, the only break of the match, and held his own serve with relative ease. By the end of the first set, the Serbian had built a comfortable lead, taking the set 6‑3.
However, the second set proved more testing. Borges raised his level, forcing Djokovic into longer rallies and creating tighter points. Midway through the second set, Djokovic requested a medical timeout after a minor physical discomfort, a brief pause that seemed to momentarily interrupt his rhythm.
Despite the interruption, Djokovic quickly regained his composure. He explained later that he felt a bit physically taxed, saying, "In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh." Nevertheless, his serving remained a dominant weapon. He highlighted the importance of his high first‑serve percentage, noting that it made his service games smoother and gave him confidence in crucial moments.
"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." The tie‑break that followed was a showcase of Djokovic’s experience under pressure. He surged ahead, creating four match points in quick succession. Borges managed to save one of those opportunities by hitting a net‑tinged shot, but Djokovic ultimately sealed the set and the match with a decisive point, winning the tie‑break 7‑2.
Annabel Croft, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, described the encounter as "really competitive" toward the end, praising Djokovic’s ability to find a path to victory despite feeling some physical discomfort. Djokovic, now 39, was treated on‑court by his physiotherapist when he fell behind 3‑2 in the second set. The treatment appeared to have a minimal impact on his performance, as he went on to win his next two service games without dropping a point, showcasing a level of play that many observers described as among his best of the match.
His efficient serving and aggressive baseline play allowed him to dominate the crucial moments, particularly in the tie‑break where his experience shone through. Looking ahead, Djokovic’s next opponent will be the home favorite Buyunchaokete Bu, who earned his place in the second round by defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6‑2, 5‑7, 6‑4. Bu’s victory over a seasoned competitor suggests he could pose a fresh challenge for Djokovic, especially with the support of the local crowd behind him. Beyond the men’s singles, the China Open featured several notable performances.
British player Katie Boulter opened her Beijing campaign with a solid 6‑3, 6‑4 win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama, demonstrating her growing confidence on the ATP/WTA circuit. Boulter’s next match will see her face seventh seed and Wimbledon runner‑up Karolina Muchova, setting up the third career meeting between the two.
Their previous encounter this year ended in a straight‑sets victory for Muchova during the US Open second round, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their upcoming clash. In the men’s draw, former US Open semi‑finalist Karen Khachanov continued his impressive form by dispatching Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6‑3, 6‑3, reinforcing his status as a strong contender in the tournament. Khachanov’s powerful baseline game and aggressive serving have made him a difficult opponent for many of the world’s top players. For fans eager to follow the action, the China Open, along with the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters, is being broadcast live on Sky Sports and the NOW streaming platform without a contract requirement.
Viewers can also access live coverage via the Sky Sports app, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts worldwide can enjoy the high‑quality matches as they unfold. Overall, Djokovic’s victory in Beijing marks a significant milestone in his season, providing a much‑needed confidence boost after early exits at the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters. His ability to adapt, recover from a brief physical setback, and close out a tightly contested tie‑break underscores why he remains one of the sport’s most formidable competitors, even as he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career.