Novak Djokovic made his long‑awaited return to the courts of Beijing, stepping back onto the hard 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 Beijing title six times in his career, faced Portugal's Nuno Borges in the opening round and, despite a brief medical timeout in the second set, prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to move into the second round of the tournament. The match began with Djokovic asserting his dominance on serve, delivering a series of powerful first serves that put immediate pressure on Borges.
His high first‑serve percentage allowed him to dictate play and build confidence early on. After taking the first set 6-3, the Serbian encountered a physical hiccup in the second set, prompting a medical timeout at 3-2 down. The pause was brief, and Djokovic quickly regained his rhythm, showcasing the resilience that has defined his career.
"In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh," Djokovic admitted after the match. He had arrived in Beijing after disappointing early exits at both the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters, making this win a crucial morale boost. "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." Following the treatment from the on‑court physio, Djokovic appeared unfazed.
He served out the next two games to love, delivering some of the most precise tennis of the encounter. The only service break of the match came early, when Djokovic broke Borges in his first service game, giving the Serbian an early advantage that he never relinquished. In the decisive tie‑break, Djokovic surged ahead, creating four match points before Borges managed to force a net error, sealing the win for the world number one. Commentator Annabel Croft described the contest as "really competitive" toward the end, noting that Djokovic's service games grew increasingly efficient as the match progressed.
She highlighted the physical demands of the contest, observing that Djokovic seemed uncomfortable at times but ultimately found a way to cross the finish line. Looking ahead, Djokovic's next opponent will be the home favorite Buyunchaokete Bu, who earned his place in the second round by defeating Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. This upcoming clash promises to be a test of Djokovic's adaptability, as he will face a player accustomed to the local conditions and buoyed by home support.
The Beijing tournament also featured other notable performances. British No. 1 Katie Boulter opened her campaign with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama, setting up a second‑round meeting with seventh seed and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova. This will be the third career encounter between Boulter and Muchova, and the second this season after Muchova's straight‑sets victory over Boulter at the US Open.
On the men's side, former US Open semifinalist Karen Khachanov continued his strong form by dispatching Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, underscoring his recent dominance over the Canadian. The tournament's schedule also offers fans the opportunity to stream matches without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports app, providing live coverage of both the WTA/ATP China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters.
Djokovic's victory in Beijing is more than just a statistical addition to his record; it signals a resurgence after a period of unexpected early exits. At 39, his ability to maintain a high level of play, manage physical setbacks, and execute under pressure speaks to his enduring professionalism and competitive spirit. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can translate this early success into deeper runs, potentially adding another title to his illustrious career.