Novak Djokovic ground out a physically taxing 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) victory over Portugal's Nuno Borges in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday in Beijing, marking his first competitive win since Wimbledon in July. The match, played at the Chinese capital's tennis center, extended the Serbian star's remarkable unbeaten record at the ATP 500 event and offered an encouraging sign after weeks of uncertainty over his fitness.
A Tense Battle Decided in the Tiebreak
Novak Djokovic held his nerve during a tense tie-break to beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) at the China Open on Wednesday and extend his extraordinary unbeaten streak in Beijing. The Serbian forced a path to victory in one hour and 50 minutes, clinching it when Borges, the world number 49 from Portugal, returned into the net.
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. The second set proved far more difficult, with Borges pushing the match into a decisive tiebreak before Djokovic finally closed it out.
Physical Struggles Continue to Follow Djokovic
The 39-year-old's win did not come without visible discomfort. Djokovic struggled to pick up points at the start of the second set, using his racquet to stretch his back between games and needing a medical timeout as a trainer worked on his right shoulder. Reports from the match also noted that Djokovic looked out of breath and frequently crouched over after long, physical rallies.
The win carries extra weight given how Djokovic's season has unfolded recently. Djokovic returned to action for the first time since his shock opening-round defeat by Mariano Navone at the US Open on August 30, when the 39-year-old struggled with shoulder and back problems and vomited midway through the match. The Serbian was struggling physically but pushed through the second-set decider for his first win at any event since Wimbledon in July.
An Unmatched Record in the Chinese Capital
The victory kept intact one of the most remarkable streaks in modern tennis. Fans packed the stands in Beijing to watch Djokovic, 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. The former world number one is a massive draw in Beijing, where he won the title in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and holds a 29-0 win-loss record at the ATP 500 tournament heading into this week's tournament.
Speaking before the tournament, Djokovic reflected on his connection with Chinese fans, saying, «I always enjoyed playing in Beijing, in China in general, particularly here in Beijing». He added that «There's a lot of love, a lot of support from Chinese tennis fans», underscoring why the tournament has remained a priority destination for him late in his career.
A Startling Moment Before the Match
Djokovic's return to Beijing was not without a scare. During a practice session at the venue, Novak Djokovic was struck in the face by a cap thrown from the stands during his China Open warm-up session at the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center as he stopped to sign autographs. His team member Carlos Gomez-Herrera quickly intervened to prevent any further incidents, and the fan was ejected from the arena.
What Comes Next
With the opening hurdle cleared, attention now turns to Djokovic's next challenge. The former world number one is set to meet wildcard Bu Yunchaokete of China in the second round. The matchup against a local wildcard is likely to draw another passionate crowd eager to see whether Djokovic can build on his fragile physical state and continue chasing a seventh Beijing title, more than a decade after his last triumph there.
For now, the win itself — however labored — offers Djokovic a much-needed building block after a difficult stretch that included his early US Open exit. How his body responds over the coming rounds will determine just how far this comeback run in Beijing can go.