Djokovic Secures First Victory Since Wimbledon at the China Open

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 continued his remarkable streak at the tournament, notching his 30th straight win there on Wednesday. A seasoned six‑time champion in the Chinese capital, Djokovic faced Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the opening round and, despite a brief medical timeout in the second set, managed to clinch the match 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), earning a place in the second round.

The next opponent on Djokovic’s schedule is home‑grown favorite Bu Buyunchaokete, who earned his spot by defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 6‑2, 5‑7, 6‑4. Djokovic reflected on his performance, noting that he felt a dip in physical freshness during the second set: “In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh,” he said, acknowledging the toll of recent early exits at the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters. When asked about his service game, Djokovic explained, “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.” His confidence on serve was evident, as he recorded two consecutive love‑filled service games after the medical interruption, demonstrating why his serve remains one of the most potent weapons on the tour.

At the 3‑2 mark in the second set, Djokovic received treatment from the team physio, but the brief pause did not appear to hamper his rhythm. He quickly regained composure, breaking Borges’ first service game – the only break of serve in the entire match – and then surged ahead in the tie‑break. Djokovic amassed four match points in rapid succession, but only needed one to seal the set when Borges’ shot clipped the net. Commentator Annabel Croft described the encounter as “a really competitive match by the end of it,” adding that “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.” Despite the physical challenges, Djokovic’s experience and tactical adjustments allowed him to dominate the crucial moments. Beyond the men’s singles, the tournament featured notable performances from other players. British No.

1 Katie Boulter launched her Beijing campaign with a straight‑sets win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama, 6‑3, 6‑4. Boulter’s next challenge will be a clash with seventh seed and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova, marking their third career meeting and a rematch of their US Open second‑round encounter earlier this year, where Muchova prevailed in straight sets. On the ATP side, former US Open semifinalist Karen Khachanov continued his recent surge by dispatching Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6‑3, 6‑3, underscoring his strong form heading into the latter stages of the event.

The China Open, part of the ATP 1000 series, offers players a valuable opportunity to gather points and confidence ahead of the season‑ending Shanghai Masters. For fans eager to follow the action, live streaming options are available without contractual obligations via NOW and the Sky Sports app.

Both the WTA and ATP draws, including the high‑stakes China Open and the subsequent Shanghai Masters, can be viewed live on Sky Sports, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the tournament’s key moments. Overall, Djokovic’s return to Beijing was a reminder of his enduring class and resilience. After a challenging start to the season, his ability to adapt mid‑match, maintain a high first‑serve percentage, and execute under pressure bodes well for his upcoming fixtures.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether the Serbian legend can translate this early success into deeper runs, potentially adding another title to his illustrious career. The China Open continues to attract top talent, with a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars competing on the hard courts. The event’s atmosphere, bolstered by enthusiastic local supporters and international media coverage, creates a vibrant backdrop for high‑quality tennis. As the week unfolds, spectators can anticipate more thrilling matches, strategic battles, and the occasional surprise upset that makes this tournament a highlight of the Asian swing.

With the second round looming, Djokovic’s next test against Bu Buyunchaokete will be closely watched. Bu, buoyed by his recent victory over Cerúndolo, will aim to leverage home‑court support and his own aggressive baseline game to challenge the world No.

1. Whether Djokovic can sustain his momentum and navigate the physical demands of back‑to‑back matches will be a key storyline as the China Open moves toward its climax.