Djokovic opens China campaign with victory

BEIJING — Novak Djokovic returned to competitive tennis with a straight-sets victory over Portugal’s Nuno Borges at the China Open, securing his first match win since his Wimbledon campaign in July.

The 39-year-old Serbian defeated Borges 6-3, 7-6(2) in the first round of the Beijing ATP 500 tournament. The victory also extended Djokovic’s perfect China Open record to 30 wins from 30 matches.

Djokovic made a strong start, taking control of the opening set with effective serving and aggressive returns. Borges responded with greater resistance in the second set, forcing several extended rallies before Djokovic eventually prevailed in the tiebreak.

The match lasted approximately one hour and 50 minutes. Djokovic also received treatment during the second set after experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder, but he was able to complete the match and secure the victory.

The result marks Djokovic’s return to the China Open after an 11-year absence. He last competed at the Beijing tournament in 2015 and has previously won the event six times. He is now seeking a seventh China Open title.

Djokovic’s next opponent will be Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete, who advanced to the next round after defeating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

The victory gives Djokovic an important competitive outing as he continues his 2026 season. He reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier in the year before losing to Jannik Sinner, and subsequently suffered a first-round defeat at the US Open.

For Djokovic, his return to Beijing has begun with another victory at a tournament where he has never lost a singles match.