Day 3 review: Djokovic battles to stay perfect; Andreeva, Osaka avoid upsets

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic has never lost a match at China Open. As the clock struck 11:30pm on Day 3 of the China Open, the 39-year-old Serb capped off a gutsy comeback to ensure that remained true. 

Djokovic engineered an incredible comeback under the Diamond Court lights to advance to return to the China Open quarterfinals, defeating Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2. The 2-hour and 52-minute match enthralled another raucous night in Beijing, which saw Djokovic improve to 31-0 at the China Open. 

"It means a lot,” Djokovic said. "Obviously when you win being set down and needing to really work your way back to the match, it kind of values as the double win, to be honest, a double victory in that sense because you're proud of yourself, you're proud of the effort.”

“It was a thrilling match to be part of. Three hours almost, almost till midnight. All the people stayed in the stadium all the way, big stadium.”

READ MORE: How Novak Djokovic fought back to stay perfect

Djokovic will await the winner of top seed Alexander Zverev and Shang Jungcheng.  

"I've gotten so much support, and couldn't be more blessed for that, to be honest with you,” Djokovic said. "Can’t wait to be in front of them in few days' time."

Djokovic is one of three men to book their spots in the quarterfinals on Day 3. Poland's Hubert Hurkacz continued his hot form by defeating French qualifier Arthur Gea 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-2. He will face another in-form veteran in US Open semifinalist Karen Khachanov, who defeated Slovakian qualifier Alex Molcan 7-5, 6-3. 

READ MORE: How doubles is bringing out the fans at China Open

The last man to arrive in Beijing stayed winning. Fresh off his title-run at the Hangzhou Open, No. 3 seed Daniil Medvedev comfortably dispatched Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-2.

The seeds got underway in the women's draw and the Top 12 seeds, led by No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka and reigning Grand Slam champions Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova, moved into the third round with relative ease. 

Sabalenka needed just 62 minutes to defeat Mexicos's Renata Zarazua 6-1, 6-3 and will face 26th seed Nikola Bartunkova next. Last year's finalist Noskova opened with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse. She will take on Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic. 

READ MORE: 5 Questions with Linda Noskova

No. 4 seed Mirra Andreeva and former 2019 China Open champion Naomi Osaka, seeded No. 12 this year, advanced with a pair of three-set wins. Andreeva bounced back from losing the first set to win the next 12 games, defeating China's Yuan Yue 3-6, 6-0, 6-0. Osaka overcame a second-set lapse to move past Maria Timofeeva 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. She will face No. 20 seed Sara Bejlek in the third round. 

READ MORE: Osaka rights the ship to advance

The WTA's parity was on display in the day session, as six seeds fell at the opening hurdle, including 14th seed Jasmine Paolini, 16th seed Anastasia Potapova, and 17th seed Maja Chwalinska. Potapova was forced to retire down 1-4 to Sinja Kraus with a right shoulder injury.