Novak Djokovic successfully navigated a challenging return to the China Open on Wednesday, overcoming Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to extend his flawless winning streak in Beijing to 30 matches. Despite the victory, the 39-year-old Serbian admitted he faced physical hurdles during the match, requiring medical attention for his right shoulder and using his racquet to stretch his back between games. A firm favourite in China who has never lost in Beijing in 30 matches — although this was his first match at the event since 2015, fans packed the stands in Beijing to watch Djokovic.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic expressed his appreciation for the venue, stating, “It’s a great pleasure to be back in my happy place.” He noted that the atmosphere in Beijing continues to suit his specific style of play. While he acknowledged being a different player than he was during his last appearance at the tournament in 2015, he remains hopeful that he can replicate his past successes. “Obviously I’m a completely different person and player than I was 11 years ago when I played here last but thankfully I kept the streak going and hopefully I can do it again,” he said.
Djokovic secured the win in one hour and 50 minutes, clinching the final point after the 49th-ranked Portuguese player committed an error into the net. This performance marks his first competitive win since reaching the final stages of Wimbledon this past July. He is now scheduled to face wildcard entrant Bu Yunchaokete in the next round. He delighted the crowd with an ace to end the first game and saved two break points after a pair of double-faults to win the first set. Clinching it when Borges, the world number 49 from Portugal, returned into the net, but he forced a path to victory in one hour and 50 minutes.
Earlier in the day, Karen Khachanov delivered a clinical performance to defeat second-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3. The 30-year-old Russian dominated from the start, closing the first set in 31 minutes and finishing the match in just over an hour. Khachanov dismissed suggestions of having a psychological edge over the Canadian, emphasizing that the change in location, court surfaces, and ball specifications meant he had to approach the contest from zero.
Khachanov, who recently triumphed at the US Open, stated, “It was a tough match. You just focus again from zero. You know that what you did well… and you just try to keep the momentum going.” He now advances to the round of 16, where he will face either Arthur Rinderknech of France or Slovakian qualifier Alex Molcan.
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev, also fresh off his own US Open success, is set to begin his Beijing campaign against Cameron Norrie on Thursday. The 29-year-old German addressed questions regarding the ongoing race for the world number one ranking, stating that his current priority remains his physical and technical preparation. “Everything else will fall into place,” Zverev noted. There is not much secret about it.”.
The tournament, which features a 1000-level WTA event running concurrently in Beijing, has drawn significant crowds for Djokovic’s return. Although he has won six titles at this event, this week represents his first appearance at the China Open in eleven years.
