Novak Djokovic once again showed why he remains one of the sport's most tenacious competitors, battling through lingering fitness concerns to stave off a second‑round defeat at the China Open on Friday. The Serbian, seeded among the world elite, fell behind early against Chinese wildcard Yunchaokete Bu, who was ranked No.
104 at the time, but he rallied to clinch a dramatic three‑set victory, extending his unbeaten run at the Beijing event to an impressive 31 matches. From the opening serve, it was clear that Djokovic was not operating at his usual peak.
He trailed 0-1 in the first set and, despite fighting back to level the score, was forced into a tiebreak in the second set after Bu kept the pressure on. The Serbian’s movement appeared laboured at moments, a reminder of the health condition he disclosed in August.
Although he insisted he felt "good" heading into the tournament, the physical strain was evident, especially when he required on‑court treatment midway through the second set. Bu started aggressively, using his powerful serve and a mix of short slices to draw Djokovic forward. He saved three break points at 3‑3, and a mis‑timed one‑handed backhand from the Serbian gave Bu the first break of the match.
The first set continued as a tightly contested affair, with neither player able to dominate. When the set reached 6‑6, Djokovic raised his level, delivering precise serves and capitalising on a few unforced errors from Bu to take the tiebreak 7‑2. That win shifted the momentum, but the Serbian still looked fatigued, his breathing heavy and his footwork slightly hesitant.
The third set saw Djokovic dig deep into his reservoir of experience. He surged ahead to 4‑0, breaking Bu’s serve twice and dictating play with his signature backhand down the line. The crowd in Beijing watched as the world No. 1 methodically dismantled his opponent’s defenses, eventually sealing the set 6‑2 and the match 4‑6, 7‑6(7‑2), 6‑2.
After the win, Djokovic reflected on the challenge, saying, "I had to serve well at the crucial moments and stay mentally sharp. Bu was solid, hitting his spots perfectly, and I had to find any opening I could." Djokovic’s victory set up a quarter‑final clash against the winner of the Alexander Zverev versus Juncheng Shang match, promising another high‑stakes encounter.
Meanwhile, the Beijing tournament featured several other noteworthy results. Daniil Medvedev dispatched Pablo Carreno‑Busta 6‑4, 6‑2 to book a second‑round match against Jan‑Lennard Struff, while Karen Khachanov overcame Alex Molcán 7‑5, 6‑3. In the women's draw, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka opened her campaign with a commanding 6‑1, 6‑3 triumph over No.
94 Renata Zarazua, showcasing her powerful groundstrokes and relentless aggression. Sabalenka broke Zarazua early in both sets and never looked back, earning a next‑round meeting with world No.
34 Nikola Bartünkova. Four‑time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka also fought hard to stay alive in the tournament.
After taking the first set 6‑3 against Maria Timofeeva, Osaka’s momentum dipped in the second, where Timofeeva rallied from a break down to win five consecutive games, leveling the match at one set all. Osaka, however, drew on her veteran composure, finding a second wind in the decider and closing out the match 6‑3, 3‑6, 6‑3. She described the encounter as "tough" and admitted it was her first match since New York, adding that she needed a few minutes to regain her bearings.
British hopeful Katie Boulter experienced a familiar pattern, falling 7‑6(7‑3), 6‑1 to world No. 8 Karolina Muchova. This marked Boulter’s third loss to Muchova this season, including a recent defeat at the US Open. Muchova praised Boulter’s effort, noting the close nature of the first set and the quality of her opponent’s serving and shot‑making.
After a strong start that saw Boulter lead 4‑1, Muchova rallied, breaking to even the set at 4‑4 before eventually clinching the tiebreak and cruising through the second set. The China Open continued to deliver high‑quality tennis across both tours, with the ATP Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters also providing live action on streaming platforms. Fans could follow the drama via NOW or the Sky Sports app, ensuring that the excitement of Beijing’s courts reached a global audience. Overall, Djokovic’s gritty comeback highlighted his resilience in the face of physical adversity, while the rest of the field produced a mix of dominant displays and tightly contested battles.
As the tournament progresses toward the quarter‑finals and beyond, the narrative of perseverance, skill, and strategic adaptation remains at the forefront of Beijing’s tennis showcase.