Novak Djokovic overcame a set deficit and recurring physical discomfort to defeat Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 on Wednesday, extending his perfect career record at the China Open to 31-0. The victory, which took two hours and 52 minutes to complete, secures his place in the quarterfinals and matches a historic milestone for the best start to a single tournament in the Open Era.
With this win, Novak Djokovic equals Rafael Nadal’s record of 31 consecutive wins to start a single event, a mark Nadal set at Roland Garros. Djokovic’s dominance in Beijing remains intact despite a 11-year absence from the tournament prior to this season; his last appearance in the Chinese capital was in 2015.
Physical Challenges and Medical Timeouts
The 39-year-old’s path to the quarterfinals was complicated by physical strain. During the second set, Djokovic requested a medical timeout to receive treatment on his rib and torso area. This marks the second consecutive match in which the world No. 11 has required mid-match medical intervention, following a similar situation during his opening-round victory over Nuno Borges.
Despite the visible discomfort, Djokovic managed to elevate his level during the second-set tiebreak. After trailing by a set and struggling to find his rhythm against the home favorite, Djokovic dominated the tiebreak 7-2 and carried that momentum into the deciding set. He broke Bu’s serve twice in the third, finally pulling away as the local challenger’s resistance faded.
Quarterfinal Outlook
The win moves Djokovic into a quarterfinal matchup against either Alexander Zverev or Juncheng Shang. While his unbeaten streak in Beijing provides a psychological edge, his physical condition remains a primary concern for the remainder of the tournament.
Analysis of his recent performance suggests that while the veteran’s baseline precision remains elite, the accumulated fatigue and the torso issue could impact his mobility in longer rallies. His ability to navigate back-to-back three-set matches will be tested as the competition stiffens in the final eight.
