By Field Level Media
Sep 30 (Field Level Media) – No. 6 seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia maintained his perfect record at the China Open with a 6-3, 7-6 (2) first-round victory over Portugal’s Nuno Borges on Wednesday in Beijing.
A six-time winner of the tournament, Djokovic improved to 30-0 in the event by firing eight aces and saving both break points he faced to win in one hour, 51 minutes. The 39-year-old’s second-round opponent will be Chinese wild card Yunchaokete Bu, who outlasted Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours, 19 minutes.
Russia’s Karen Khachanov delivered the event’s first upset with a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in just 72 minutes. Also advancing in straight sets were French qualifier Arthur Gea and Germany’s Jan- Lennard Struff.
The tournament field does not include Italy’s Jannik Sinner (2023 and 2025 champion) or Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (2024). Sinner is dealing with a knee injury and Alcaraz is the top seed this week in Tokyo.
Japan Open Tennis Championships
Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo made quick work of No. 7 seed Tommy Paul in the opening round in Tokyo, finishing off a 6-1, 6-2 victory in 74 minutes.
Tabilo converted five of eight break points and took advantage of six double faults by Paul, who won only 55% of the points (17 of 31) on his first serve. Tabilo awaits the winner of the match between Canada’s Denis Shapovalov and Japanese wild card Sho Shimabukuro.
Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi earned a second-round date with top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz of Spain by rallying for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory against Japanese wild card Rei Sakamoto.
No. 8 seed Valentin Vacherot of Monaco edged Belgium’s Alexander Blockx 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) in just over two hours. Qualifier Arthur Fils posted a 6-3, 6-2 win over fellow Frenchman Luca Van Assche.
(–Field Level Media)
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