Novak Djokovic made his comeback to the Beijing courts eleven years after his previous appearance, extending his astonishing streak at the China Open to thirty straight wins on Wednesday. The Serbian star, who has claimed six titles in the Chinese capital, faced Portugal’s Nuno Borges and, despite taking a medical timeout in the second set, managed to prevail with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) scoreline, advancing to the tournament's second round. The upcoming opponent for Djokovic is the local favorite Buyunchaokete Bu, who earned his place by defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. 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," the 39‑year‑old said, noting that his recent form had been hampered by early exits at the US Open and the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati. Djokovic explained how his service game helped him navigate the match: "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." While trailing 3-2 in the second set, he received treatment from the physio on court but appeared unimpeded by the issue, later delivering two consecutive love serves and showcasing some of the finest tennis of the evening. The match featured only a single service break, which came from Djokovic in Borges' opening service game. In the decisive tie‑break, Djokovic surged ahead, creating four match points, though only one was needed after Borges clipped a net shot. Commentator Annabel Croft described the contest as highly competitive toward the end, adding, "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." Beyond the headline match, other notable performances unfolded on the Beijing hard courts. British No.1 Katie Boulter kicked off her campaign with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama.
Boulter’s next challenge will be a clash with seventh seed and Wimbledon runner‑up Karolina Muchova, marking the third career meeting between the two and their second encounter of the year after Muchova’s straight‑sets victory over Boulter in the US Open second round. On the men’s side, former US Open semifinalist Karen Khachanov continued his recent run of dominant displays by dispatching Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6-3, 6-3. Khachanov’s powerful baseline play and aggressive serving left little room for his Canadian opponent, reinforcing Khachanov’s growing confidence as he aims to make a deep run in the tournament.
The China Open, part of the ATP 1000 series, serves as a crucial preparation event for players targeting the Shanghai Masters later in the season. For Djokovic, the victory not only adds another chapter to his remarkable record in Beijing but also provides a much‑needed boost after a difficult start to the year.
The Serbian’s ability to overcome a mid‑match physical setback and still deliver clutch tennis in a high‑pressure tie‑break underscores his enduring resilience and tactical acumen. Fans watching at home have multiple options to follow the action. Live streams are available without a contract through NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering comprehensive coverage of both the ATP and WTA draws.
Additionally, Sky Sports provides a dedicated video player for an enhanced viewing experience, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts can keep up with every rally, break point, and championship moment. Looking ahead, Djokovic’s next match against Buyunchaokete Bu will test his adaptability against a player accustomed to the local conditions and buoyed by home support. Bu’s recent victory over Cerundolo demonstrated his capacity to grind out tight sets, suggesting that Djokovic will need to maintain his high first‑serve percentage and capitalize on any opportunities to break serve early.
If he can replicate the efficiency displayed against Borges, particularly in his service games, the Serbian legend is well‑positioned to extend his winning streak further. Overall, the Beijing tournament has already delivered a blend of veteran mastery and emerging talent, setting the stage for compelling storylines as the week progresses. Whether it’s Djokovic’s quest for another title, Boulter’s pursuit of a breakthrough against a top‑seeded opponent, or Khachanov’s momentum building toward the season’s final swing, the China Open continues to capture the excitement and unpredictability that define modern professional tennis.