Opening round in Beijing

Novak Djokovic returned to the China Open on Wednesday for the first time since 2015, defeating Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the round of 32. The sixth-seeded Serbian took command of the opening set immediately, converting a break point in the second game to establish a 3-0 lead. Borges, ranked 49th in the world, created two break-point opportunities while trailing 4-2, but Djokovic defended both chances with aggressive serving and accurate drop shots. Djokovic hit eight aces during the match and closed out the first set on his second set point at 6-3. The result improved his career record at the Beijing tournament to 30 victories without a loss.

Physical strain and tiebreak finish

The second set proved more demanding for the 39-year-old Serbian as Borges prolonged baseline exchanges and forced longer rallies. Trailing 3-2 in the set, Djokovic called a medical timeout to receive treatment on his right shoulder, having used his racket to stretch his back between changeovers. Neither competitor surrendered a service break, pushing the set into a decisive tiebreak. Djokovic took control with an early run, establishing a 5-1 lead after hitting a backhand winner down the sideline. Borges netted a return on match point to conclude the contest in one hour and 51 minutes.

Djokovic discussed the physical demands of the second set during his post-match comments.

“In the second set when he started to play better, I struggled a little bit to stay fresh... played out a great tiebreak to close it out in two, so very happy for that,”

Tournament history and recent form

The victory over Borges was Djokovic's first match win since reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in July. The 24-time Grand Slam champion arrived in Beijing after early exits in North America, where he lost in the first round at Cincinnati to Thiago Agustin Tirante and fell in the opening round of the US Open to Mariano Navone. Djokovic won the China Open title in each of his six previous appearances, taking trophies in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. He is pursuing his first tournament title of the 2026 season.

Upsets and action across Asia

Djokovic will face Chinese wild card Yunchaokete Bu in the round of 16, following Bu's 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo in two hours and 19 minutes. The Beijing draw also saw 26th-ranked Karen Khachanov defeat second-seeded world number five Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in 72 minutes. Former champions Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are absent from Beijing; Sinner is sidelined with a knee injury, while Alcaraz entered the Japan Open in Tokyo as top seed. In Tokyo's opening round, Alejandro Tabilo defeated seventh seed Tommy Paul 6-1, 6-2, and Matteo Arnaldi rallied past Rei Sakamoto 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Khachanov addressed his performance against Auger-Aliassime after their match.

“When you approach this match you are thinking it's a completely new match, completely different. In China, in Beijing. Different court, different balls.”