Novak Djokovic kept his unblemished record at the China Open intact on Friday, digging deep to beat Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 in a gruelling two-hour, 52-minute second-round battle in Beijing. The six-time champion moved into the quarterfinals of the 2026 event, his first appearance at the tournament since lifting the trophy in 2015.
A rare struggle in the capital
Bu stunned the Beijing crowd by taking the opening set 6-4, and the pressure mounted in the second when Djokovic dropped serve and called for a medical timeout to receive treatment. The 39-year-old regrouped to dominate the tiebreak 7-2, then pulled away in the decider to preserve a record that grows more remarkable with each visit. The victory took Djokovic's unbeaten run at the ATP 500 event to 31-0 — the joint-best start at any single tournament by a man in the Open Era, matching Rafael Nadal's 31-0 beginning at the French Open.
A 'big, big struggle' this season
After the match, Djokovic spoke candidly about the physical toll of a difficult year, describing the 2026 season as a "big, big struggle" as he deals with an undisclosed health problem. "I don't want to go into details," he said. "It's nothing to do with stamina. It's something else. More related to health." The Serb added that he and his team were still working to get to the root of the issue, offering no further specifics. The season has included a shock first-round exit at the US Open — a reminder that even the sport's most decorated figures cannot always outrun the body's limits.
What's next
Djokovic advances to the quarterfinals in Beijing, where he could meet Alexander Zverev. For now, his perfect China Open story continues — but his own words suggest the toughest opponent he faces this season may not be across the net.
Sources: Reuters – ATP roundup: Novak Djokovic rallies to keep Beijing streak alive | Reuters – Djokovic says season has been 'a big, big struggle' after latest medical timeout
A rare struggle in the capital
Bu stunned the Beijing crowd by taking the opening set 6-4, and the pressure mounted in the second when Djokovic dropped serve and called for a medical timeout to receive treatment. The 39-year-old regrouped to dominate the tiebreak 7-2, then pulled away in the decider to preserve a record that grows more remarkable with each visit. The victory took Djokovic's unbeaten run at the ATP 500 event to 31-0 — the joint-best start at any single tournament by a man in the Open Era, matching Rafael Nadal's 31-0 beginning at the French Open.
A 'big, big struggle' this season
After the match, Djokovic spoke candidly about the physical toll of a difficult year, describing the 2026 season as a "big, big struggle" as he deals with an undisclosed health problem. "I don't want to go into details," he said. "It's nothing to do with stamina. It's something else. More related to health." The Serb added that he and his team were still working to get to the root of the issue, offering no further specifics. The season has included a shock first-round exit at the US Open — a reminder that even the sport's most decorated figures cannot always outrun the body's limits.
What's next
Djokovic advances to the quarterfinals in Beijing, where he could meet Alexander Zverev. For now, his perfect China Open story continues — but his own words suggest the toughest opponent he faces this season may not be across the net.
Sources: Reuters – ATP roundup: Novak Djokovic rallies to keep Beijing streak alive | Reuters – Djokovic says season has been 'a big, big struggle' after latest medical timeout
