Djokovic remains perfect in Beijing

Novak Djokovic was back in his “happy place.”

The legend continued where he left off 11 years ago, beating Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday in front of an adoring capacity crowd at the Diamond Court. 

The victory moved the six-time event winner and 24-time Grand Slam champion to 30-0 all time at the China Open. He last appeared at the event in 2015, but he’s had it on his calendar to return. 

“What I’m experiencing here throughout my career in China with the fans, I’m not experiencing this anywhere around the world,” said Djokovic, who thanks all four sides of the sold-out 15,000-seat stadium. “They have a great tennis passion and tradition in this city, in this country. They have proven once more that today.” 

The victory snapped a three-match losing skid for Djokovic, who last won in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. He had two first-round exits in Cincinnati and at the U.S. Open. 

Djokovic will face Chinese wild card Bu Yunchaokete in the second round. Bu won a tight three-setter against Juan Manual Cerundolo in the first round. 

Djokovic got his only break of serve in the second game of the match, winning a 26-ball rally. Borges was able to apply pressure on the Serbian’s serve with two break points in the seventh game, but Novak’s serve helped him keep hold of the first set.  

“I got that serve going for me,” Djokovic said. “It really helped in the crucial moments.” 

The serve kept Djokovic in the match when he struggled physically early in the second set, taking time between points to stretch and put his hands on his knees. The 39-year-old asked for the physio after going down 3-2 in the second set on serve.     

“I think when I struggled a bit physically in the second set,” he said, “I really needed that serve.” 

Novak managed to bring the set to a tie-break despite more pressure from Borges. The Serbian set the tone on the first point in the tiebreak, hitting a blazing forehand down the line to end a 28-point rally.  

Djokovic kept control from there on, winning the tie-break 7-2 and letting out an emphatic roar after match point. 

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It was the second win for Djokovic over Borges after defeating the Portuguese man in the 2025 Athens Open on the way to his 101st — and most recent — title.  

“Credit to him as well for a quality match,” Djokovic said. “I think the people who were there watching enjoyed it and appreciated the quality of tennis they saw.” 

Djokovic was met with wonder from the crowd as he spoke to them in Chinese in the on-court interview after the match. But the crowd might be slightly more split in the next round, when he faces Bu. 

“I’m sure it’s going to be (an) electric atmosphere,” said Djokovic. “He’s going to have a lot of support.”  

Bu is one of three Chinese players in the men’s draw of this year's China Open.  

“Hopefully, Bu will stop doing well in a few days’ time.” Djokovic joked.  “It’s good to see all the up-and-coming men’s tennis players from China doing well.”

A potential heavyweight-bout lies ahead for Djokovic as he will face U.S. Open champion Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, given they both hold seed. The Serbian expressed optimistic feelings about his future matches. 

“When I’m playing this kind of level of tennis, I like my chances really against anyone,” he said Djokovic. “Hopefully physically I can be fit, I can be fresh.” 

 By Ellis von Fintel