Djokovic beats Borges to extend unbeaten China Open record to 30 matches

Novak Djokovic returned to winning form at the China Open on Wednesday, beating Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to reach the second round in Beijing. BBC Sport reported that it was his first victory since his run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July. The match lasted one hour and 50 minutes.

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The result extended Djokovic's unbeaten record at the tournament to 30 matches. The 39-year-old Serb was making his first appearance at the event since 2015, returning after an 11-year absence with six China Open titles already to his name. The 24-time Grand Slam champion remains in contention for a seventh crown, which would extend his tournament record.

According to the match report on Djokovic's official website, he took control of the opening set by breaking Borges in the second game and holding for a 3-0 lead. Borges, ranked 49th in the world, had a chance to recover the break in the seventh game. Djokovic saved both break points and maintained his advantage to take the set.

The second set stayed on serve, with neither player creating a break opportunity during the first eight games. Djokovic earned a chance in the ninth but was unable to convert it, his website reported. He subsequently held serve, and the set was ultimately decided by a tie-break. Djokovic won that contest 7-2, completing the match without needing a third set.

The victory also came through physical discomfort. BBC Sport reported that Djokovic used his racquet to stretch his back between games during the second set and took a medical timeout for treatment to his right shoulder. In August, he had disclosed an underlying health condition that had caused particular difficulties in hot and humid conditions over the previous couple of years. The report did not identify that condition.

Djokovic will next meet Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete on Friday, according to his official website. Bu, 24 and ranked 104th, advanced by beating Juan Manuel Cerundolo. That sets up the next match in Djokovic's Beijing return after he preserved his unbeaten tournament record against Borges.