Além disso, novak Djokovic overcame in-match physical distress to defeat Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) in the first round of the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing on Wednesday (30). Dessa forma, the straight-sets victory extended the Serbian player’s career record at the Beijing tournament to an undefeated 30 wins and zero losses.
Com isso, the contest lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes in front of an estimated crowd of 14,000 spectators, marking the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s return to the competition after an 11-year absence dating back to his last title run in 2015.
Nesse sentido, read also: Novak Djokovic secures 30th consecutive victory in Beijing at China Open 2026
Novak Djokovic faces physical complaints during second-set battle
Portanto, djokovic gained early control of the opening set by breaking Borges’ serve to establish a quick 3-0 advantage, maintaining his lead to close out the frame at 6-3 despite increased resistance from the 49th-ranked Portuguese opponent. Em seguida, complications arose in the second set when Borges held a 3-2 lead, prompting the former world number one to call for an immediate on-court medical evaluation. De acordo com as apurações, the 39-year-old Serbian received physical therapy and massage on the court while conferring with tour medical staff before resuming play.
Por outro lado, despite the visible physical discomfort, neither competitor surrendered serve across the remainder of the second set, sending the contest into a tie-break. Vale destacar que djokovic took control of the decisive tie-break, winning four consecutive points on Borges’ delivery to close out the decider 7-2 and avoid a deciding third set.
“I think I suffered a bit physically in the second set and I really needed my serve. Sendo assim, I managed to get it going, and it helped me a lot in crucial moments,” Djokovic stated following the match. He pointed to his first serve as the stabilizing factor during the second set: “Serving well, getting free points with the first serve, and having a high percentage makes life easier. At this level, it represents a huge advantage.”
See also: End of advantage and short sets: Novak Djokovic proposes rules to speed up tennis matches
Tournament record of 30-0 in Beijing and match metrics
Djokovic entered the main draw as the number 6 seed in Beijing, even though he currently holds the 11th position in the official ATP singles rankings. With six tournament titles collected throughout his career, he stands as the most decorated singles champion in the history of the China Open.
- Final match result: Novak Djokovic defeated Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2)
- Total match duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes on the Beijing stadium court
- Beijing tournament record: 30 victories and 0 defeats across seven career appearances
- China Open trophies: 6 titles won by Djokovic between 2009 and 2015
- Grand Slam record: 24 major singles championships won across his career
- Stadium attendance: approximately 14,000 spectators in Beijing
Wednesday’s appearance was Djokovic’s first official match since August 30, 2026, when he experienced severe physical distress involving vomiting and muscle cramps during a five-set opening-round loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the US Open. That defeat in New York ended a streak of 78 consecutive first-round victories in Grand Slam tournaments that Djokovic had built since 2006. The Serbian is currently competing in the Asian swing to accumulate ranking points and return to the global top 10, having completed every tennis season inside that bracket since 2006.
See also: Novak Djokovic’s fall in the ATP rankings ends 24-year run of the ‘Big 3’ in the top 10
Djokovic reflects on Chinese supporters as medical evaluation continues
Addressing the stadium audience following the second-set tie-break, Djokovic highlighted his connection with the local fanbase in the Chinese capital. “What I have experienced here throughout my career, with the fans, and the interaction I have with them, I don’t find anywhere else in the world. The passion, the loyalty, and the commitment they show toward me are really extraordinary,” he stated.
The specific clinical diagnosis regarding the physical indisposition that prompted Djokovic’s medical timeout in the second set has not been released by his medical staff or tournament officials. Treatment was administered directly at his bench during the changeover, but formal medical updates detailing the precise nature of the issue remain unconfirmed.
Bu Yunchaokete awaits Novak Djokovic in the second round
Djokovic will face Chinese player Bu Yunchaokete in the second round on Friday, October 2, 2026, in what will be the first professional meeting between the two players. Bu, ranked 104th in the world, advanced to the round of 16 after defeating Argentine competitor Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in straight sets during his opening match of the tournament.
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