A tight match in Beijing
Novak Djokovic rallied to win at the China Open in Beijing, keeping alive an unbeaten record at the tournament. The victory moved him to 31 wins and no losses across his appearances there.
He described the match as one of the best he has been part of, and thanked the crowd for pushing him through the difficult moments. The contest turned on a handful of long rallies and a few break points that he saved with steady serving.
A record built over many visits
Djokovic has played in Beijing many times and has never lost a match at the event. That run has made the city one of his most productive stops, even as younger players have risen in the rankings.
He said the conditions suit his game, and that the support from local fans gives him extra energy in close sets. Organisers say ticket demand has been strong whenever he is on the schedule.
He has said the event fits well into his season because travel is limited and the courts reward his baseline game. Younger rivals have pushed him hard in recent years, but he keeps finding ways to win the long points that decide sets. Fans in Beijing have packed the stands for his matches.
Next up
Djokovic moves on to the next round, where he will face a lower-ranked opponent. He said he is focused on managing his body across a busy stretch of the season rather than looking too far ahead.
At the same event, other seeded players are also through, setting up possible meetings later in the week. For now, the story is a familiar one in Beijing: Djokovic wins, and the record stays perfect.
Organisers say his matches have drawn some of the largest crowds of the week. Fans here have followed him closely for years, and he said that support makes a real difference when a set is still in the balance.