Novak Djokovic made his long‑awaited return to Beijing this week, stepping onto the courts for the first time in eleven years and extending his remarkable streak at the China Open to thirty straight wins. The Serbian star, who has claimed the tournament title six times, faced Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the opening round and emerged victorious with a 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2) scoreline, earning a place in the second round. The match began with Djokovic asserting his dominance on serve, delivering a high percentage of first serves that allowed him to dictate play and keep pressure on Borges. After a solid first set, the Portuguese challenger raised his level in the second, prompting Djokovic to request a medical timeout when he fell behind 3‑2.
The brief pause appeared to refresh the Serbian, who returned to the court with renewed vigor. He held serve throughout the remainder of the set, and when the contest moved into a tiebreak, his experience shone through.
Djokovic raced ahead, building a four‑point lead and converting the first match point after Borges clipped a shot into the net, sealing the win. Reflecting on the encounter, Djokovic admitted that the second set tested his physical reserves.
"In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh," he said, noting that the early break of his own serve at 3‑2 was a moment where he felt the strain. Nevertheless, his serving remained a cornerstone of the victory.
"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," he added. At 39 years old, Djokovic’s resilience is noteworthy, especially after recent early exits at the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters. The medical treatment he received on court did not appear to impede his performance; he promptly broke Borges’ serve in the opening game of the second set and then held his own serve with authority, delivering two love games in a row.
The match featured only a single service break, underscoring Djokovic’s efficiency and the tight nature of the contest. Commentator Annabel Croft praised the competitive spirit displayed by both athletes.
"That was a really competitive match by the end of it," she told Sky Sports Tennis. "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." Her analysis highlighted the physical challenges that even a veteran like Djokovic must navigate on the demanding hard courts of Beijing.
Looking ahead, Djokovic’s next opponent will be the home favorite Buyunchaokete Bu, who earned his spot by defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 6‑2, 5‑7, 6‑4. The upcoming clash promises a test of Djokovic’s adaptability, as Bu will be buoyed by local support and eager to make a statement against a six‑time champion. The China Open also featured notable performances from other players.
Britain’s Katie Boulter opened her campaign with a straight‑sets win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama, posting a 6‑3, 6‑4 result. Boulter now prepares to meet seventh seed and Wimbledon runner‑up Karolina Muchova, marking their third career meeting and a rematch of their US Open encounter earlier this year, where Muchova prevailed in straight sets. In the men’s draw, Russian veteran Karen Khachanov continued his impressive run, dispatching Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6‑3, 6‑3. Khachanov’s dominant display adds another layer of intrigue to the tournament, as he seeks to build momentum ahead of the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters.
Fans can follow the action live via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, which provide streaming without contractual obligations. Both the WTA and ATP events, including the China Open and the upcoming Shanghai Masters, are available for live viewing, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts worldwide can stay connected to the drama unfolding on the Asian circuit. Overall, Djokovic’s return to Beijing not only extended his personal winning streak but also signaled his intent to remain a formidable contender despite recent setbacks.
His ability to overcome a mid‑match physical dip, capitalize on a high‑percentage serve, and close out a tight tiebreak demonstrates the blend of skill, experience, and mental toughness that has defined his storied career. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether the Serbian champion can translate this early success into deeper runs, potentially adding another title to his impressive résumé.