Novak Djokovic marked his return to the China Open with a hard-fought victory over Nuno Borges, extending his remarkable unbeaten record at the Beijing tournament despite experiencing some physical discomfort.
Playing in Beijing for the first time since 2015, Djokovic defeated Portugal's Borges 6-3, 7-6(2) to reach the next round of the ATP 500 event.
The Serbian looked in control for much of the opening set, but the match became more complicated in the second. Borges raised his level while Djokovic began to struggle physically, eventually taking a medical timeout at 2-3.
Despite the setback, the 24-time Grand Slam champion found a way through. He held his serve effectively and produced a dominant tie-break to close out the match in just over 90 minutes.
Djokovic admitted afterwards that maintaining his physical level had been difficult as the match progressed.
“In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh,” Djokovic said.
His first-serve percentage proved particularly useful as he managed to protect his service games and avoid allowing Borges to build sustained pressure.
The victory also extended one of the most remarkable records in the tournament's history. Djokovic is now 30-0 at the China Open, having won all six previous editions he entered.
His last appearance in Beijing came in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final to claim his sixth title. His perfect record means he has never lost a match at the tournament.
The result comes after a difficult period for Djokovic, who suffered early exits in Cincinnati and at the US Open. Physical issues have also been a recurring concern during his recent appearances, making his return to Beijing an important opportunity to regain momentum.
Djokovic is also still searching for his first title of the 2026 season. A successful run in Beijing could put him on course for another meeting with top seed Alexander Zverev, while winning the tournament would move him to 102 career tour-level titles.
That would leave Djokovic just one title behind Roger Federer's 103 and seven behind Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 109.
His next challenge will be particularly intriguing, with Djokovic set to face China's Buyunchaokete. The home favourite advanced by beating Juan Manuel Cerundolo in a three-set battle.
For Djokovic, the second-round encounter offers another test of both his form and physical condition. His unbeaten Beijing record remains intact, but maintaining that run will require him to overcome another opponent and manage the physical demands of the tournament.
