Novak Djokovic remained perfect all time at the China Open with a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory over Nuno Borges on Wednesday night. Djokovic, who lifted the trophy in each of his six previous trips to Beijing, prevailed after one hour and 51 minutes.
The 39-year-old Serb served at 71 percent, struck nine aces, and did not get broken a single time while saving both of the break points he faced.
Djokovic had been on a three-match losing streak prior to arriving in Beijing. The world No. 11 lost to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals, to Thiago Agustin Tirante in his Cincinnati Masters opener, and to Mariano Navone in the U.S. Open first round.
“In the second set he started playing better and I struggled a little bit physically to stay fresh,” Djokovic admitted. “When I was serving, I was dominating and going through my games quite comfortably. It was helping getting those first serves in, that high percentages makes my life easier in my service games and I played a great tie-break to close it out in two, so I am very happy about that.”
The No. 6 seed will face Bu Yunchaokete on Friday.
Tirante, Karen Khachanov, and Arthur Gea also advanced on Wednesday. Khachanov ousted No. 2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, marking the Russian’s second win over the Canadian in less than a month (also in round two of the U.S. Open).
he’s back!
*sort of
Never doubted
It really is remarkable that he’s still playing at this high level at nearly 40. I did notice the physio saw him for quite a while midmatch.
yeah I’m afraid he is cooked