Novak Djokovic made a winning return to the China Open on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The Serbian defeated Nuno Borges 6–3, 7–6(2) in the first round of the Beijing ATP 500, extending his tournament record to 30 wins without defeat.
Unbroken on serve, decisive in the tie-break
Djokovic broke the Portuguese player's serve in the second game and moved ahead 3–0. He then saved two break points in the seventh game to protect the lead that secured the opening set.
Borges made the second set more competitive. Neither player faced a break point in the first eight games; Djokovic earned a chance in the ninth but could not convert it. He kept his own serve intact and took the tie-break 7–2.
There was also an interruption to the Serbian's progress: the ATP reported that he received a medical timeout while trailing 3–2 in the second set. He went on to finish the match in straight sets, ending a three-match losing streak on tour.
Back after 11 years
Djokovic's previous Beijing appearance was in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final. This year's sixth seed won the title on each of his six earlier visits.
In the second round, scheduled for Friday, he will face Chinese wild card Bu Yunchaokete, who defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6–2, 5–7, 6–4.
The official Tennis TV highlights feature Djokovic's first-round win over Borges in Beijing in 2026.
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