Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic secured a hard-fought opening-round win at the China Open on October 1, 2026. He defeated Portugal's Nuno Borges with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7/2). This victory marks his first win at any event since Wimbledon in July and extends his remarkable unbeaten streak in Beijing. The 39-year-old Djokovic has never lost in Beijing, having played 30 matches, although this was his first match at the event since 2015.
The match was marked by Djokovic's physical struggles, but he managed to push through the second-set decider. He delighted the packed crowd in Beijing with an ace in the first game and saved two break points after a pair of double faults to win the first set. Djokovic has had health issues in recent months, which were evident as he struggled to pick up points at the start of the second set. He used his racquet to stretch his back between games and needed a medical timeout as a trainer worked on his right shoulder.
Despite the challenges, Djokovic forced a path to victory in one hour and 50 minutes. He clinched the win when Borges returned into the net. This victory preserves Djokovic's winning streak in Beijing, where he has won six titles. The former world No 1 is set to meet wildcard Bu Yunchaokete of China in the second round. The Chinese fans, who have been supportive of Djokovic, packed the stands to watch him play.
In another match, Karen Khachanov swept aside second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime with a score of 6-3, 6-3. The world number 26, Khachanov, won three straight games, taking the first set in 31 minutes. The 30-year-old then kept his cool to break Auger-Aliassime on the first match point, wrapping things up in one hour and 11 minutes.
Khachanov's win sets up a potential meeting with either Arthur Rinderknech of France or qualifier Alex Molcan of Slovakia in the round of 16. The Russian player's victory over Auger-Aliassime was a significant upset, given the Canadian's high seeding. Khachanov's performance demonstrated his capability to compete against top players.
Djokovic's win and Khachanov's upset have set the stage for an exciting China Open. The tournament has seen a strong turnout, with fans packing the stands to watch top players in action. Djokovic's popularity in China was evident, with the crowd supporting him throughout the match.
The China Open continues to be a major event in the tennis calendar, attracting top players and a large audience. With Djokovic and Khachanov advancing to the next round, fans can look forward to more exciting matches. The tournament will likely see intense competition as players vie for the championship title.
Key points
- Djokovic extends his unbeaten streak in Beijing to 31 matches.
- Khachanov upsets second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
- Djokovic faces wildcard Bu Yunchaokete of China in the second round.
