Djokovic Returns to China Open with Victory; Auger-Aliassime Upset by Khachanov

Novak Djokovic made a strong return to the China Open after an 11-year absence, defeating Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the first round on Wednesday. The 39-year-old Serbian sixth seed, playing his first match since losing to Mariano Navone at the US Open on August 31, extended his undefeated Beijing record to 30-0. Djokovic received courtside medical attention at 3-2 down in the second set for an undisclosed issue but recovered to dominate the tie-break 7-2. "I was serving well. In the tie-break, I played great," Djokovic said, adding that he was moved by the full stadium despite it being his first-round match.

In a separate upset, second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada was defeated by Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 on the same day. This marked Khachanov's second consecutive victory over the Canadian, who also lost to him in the second round of the US Open this month. Khachanov broke Auger-Aliassime's serve twice in the opening set and again in the closing game of the second set with four consecutive points.

Djokovic will next face China's Yunchaokete Bu, who advanced by defeating Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. The Serbian has won the China Open six times—in 2009, 2010, and from 2012 to 2015, making him the tournament's most successful men's singles player. On the women's side, Chinese players had mixed results: Yuan Yue defeated Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-2, 6-3, while Bai Zhuoxuan fell to Czech player Linda Fruhvirtova 6-2, 6-3. Top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany faces Britain's Cameron Norrie on Thursday, while Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen will play Shi Han in an all-Chinese women's match.