Key Takeaways
- Novak Djokovic extended his undefeated China Open singles record to 30 matches with a 6-3, 7-6(2) win over Nuno Borges.
- Despite requiring a second-set medical timeout, Djokovic credited his delivery, saying, “Serving was really good for most of the match.”
- The 6-time champion expressed astonishment at the 15,000 fans in attendance, admitting, “I honestly didn’t expect a packed house for the first match.”
Unbeaten Beijing run reaches 30 matches
Novak Djokovic marked his return to the China Open by navigating past Portugal’s Nuno Borges in straight sets, earning a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory. The triumph stands as his first competitive match win since Wimbledon, following an early opening-round exit against Mariano Navone at the US Open. It also extended the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s remarkable undefeated singles record in Beijing to 30 matches across his career as a 6-time champion at the ATP 500 event.
Competing in Beijing for the first time since 2015, the Serbian had to manage physical fatigue during the second set and called for a medical timeout. In spite of those physical hurdles, his reliability on serve kept Borges at bay and carried him across the finish line without dropping a set.
Strong serving proves pivotal against Nuno Borges
Reflecting on the contest immediately afterward, Djokovic pointed directly to his delivery as the cornerstone of the victory. “I think serving. Serving was really good for most of the match,” Djokovic remarked. “In the second set when he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh.”
The top seed explained how critical quick service holds became when his energy began to wane in the latter stages of the encounter. “When I was serving, in my service games I was dominating and coming through my games quite comfortably, which was helping; getting those high first serve percentages makes the life easier at least in my service games. I played a great tie-break to close it out in two, so very happy with that.”
Assessing the encounter on Sky Sports, former British number 1 Annabel Croft highlighted Djokovic’s ability to grind out the result when pushed physically. “That was a really competitive match, by the end of it was teetering and it could have gone to a final set,” Croft observed. “Djokovic ended up locking down and however much he felt uncomfortable he found a way to get himself to the finish line.”
Croft also emphasised how the Serbian tightened his focus during the critical moments: “His service games actually became more and more efficient, as he looked to close it out and get towards the tiebreak. So much of the match was about the physicality and how uncomfortable he felt. When he really needed to lock down, he did. No matter how he felt sick, he got through some of those 28 shot rallies and it was an intriguing match.”
Chinese crowd reception delivers pleasant surprise
When asked whether the passionate reception from the stands was connected to his recent dip in form, Djokovic pushed back on that notion. Instead, he attributed the warm atmosphere to the local fanbase’s longstanding passion for tennis and recognition of his achievements.
“I don’t think it’s linked to me not producing my best in the last couple of months, I think it’s linked to first of all the appreciation and love and respect they have for this sport, and also for what I have done in my career,” he explained. “My record has been flawless here, I haven’t played in 11 years but there’s a reason why I love playing in China.”
Even with decades of tour experience under his belt, the sheer volume of attendees inside the arena took him aback. “The way they treat me, the way they support me, I feel really like at home. I honestly didn’t expect a packed house for the first match, 15,000 people. I am surprised still at this age after this many matches in my life, pleasantly, so I’ll do my best to return the love and passion that they have been bringing to this tournament and me.”
Following a day of rest, Djokovic will return to action in the second round on Friday, October 2, taking on Chinese wildcard Yunchaokete Bu in their first-ever career meeting.
ATP Beijing - Novak Djokovic's projected path
Djokovic in Beijing, ranking, and results in 2026
Ranked no.11, Novak has managed to achieve an overall 15-7 match record in 2026. Djokovic is participating in Beijing where he ousted the world no.49 Nuno Borges 6-3 7-6(2).
Novak Djokovic will come up against the world no.104 Bu Yunchaokete in the 2nd round on Friday at 8:30 pm on Court 3. In the past, they have never competed against each other so far in top competitions.
Djokovic won 101 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 21 on clay courts, 20 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
