11 years after his last participation, Djokovic maintained his flawless record in Beijing. He had won all six previous appearances, most recently in 2015 when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final. This victory over Borges provided a strong start for the Serbian player in his quest for a seventh title at the ATP 500 event in China.

Djokovic took 1 hour 50 minutes to defeat his Portuguese opponent. The match was challenging for the 39-year-old, who required medical attention in the second set. However, his strong serving helped Djokovic manage the pressure, leading to a decisive victory in the tie-break.

Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory over Nuno Borges in the first round of the men's singles at the China Open in Beijing on 30/9. *Photo: AP*

The first set's turning point occurred in Borges's opening service game. Djokovic patiently engaged in rallies, forcing his opponent into two consecutive forehand errors to secure a break and a 3-0 lead. However, this early advantage did not guarantee an easy set. While leading 4-2, Djokovic committed two consecutive double faults, facing two break points.

Djokovic navigated the challenge with an effective second serve and a Borges unforced error. He then held his service game to establish a 5-2 lead, which he maintained throughout the set. Even under pressure from his opponent, the 24-time grand slam champion's serve consistently allowed him to regain the initiative.

Borges improved his play in the second set, engaging Djokovic in extended rallies to challenge his physical endurance. However, when the set reached a tie-break, the Serbian player distinguished himself, winning 7-2 to secure the match in two sets.

"When he played better in the second set, I had a bit of difficulty maintaining my physical condition", Djokovic commented after the match. "I played a very good tie-break to finish in two sets, so I am very satisfied."

The victory brought a sense of relief for Djokovic, marking his first match since his first-round elimination by Mariano Navone at the US Open. In New York, he suffered from shoulder and back problems, and even vomited on court. Prior to his return in Beijing, Djokovic stated that his body responded well in training, but stressed that competitive play presented a different challenge.

In the second round, Djokovic will play Bu Yunchaokete, a home player who recently defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. The draw indicates that Alexander Zverev could be a potential opponent for "Nole" in the quarterfinals.

The China Open is held on outdoor hard courts at the National Tennis Center in Beijing from 30/9 to 6/10. The singles draw consists of 32 players, requiring all seeded players to compete from the first round.

Concurrently, the ATP is also hosting the Japan Open in Tokyo, which includes Carlos Alcaraz. While both are ATP 500 level events, the Beijing tournament offers significantly greater financial incentives than Tokyo. The China Open's total prize money is 4,089,385 USD, almost 1.75 million USD more than the Japan Open's 2,342,275 USD.

Vy Anh