The Serbian No. 1 returned to action after a month-long break and opened his campaign with a win.
Novak defeated world No. 49 Nuno Borges of Portugal 2-0 in the first round of the ATP tournament in Beijing, winning 6-3, 7-6(2).
The match lasted one hour and 50 minutes, with Novak extending his perfect record in Beijing after an 11-year absence from the tournament. His winning streak at the China Open now stands at an impressive 30-0.
Novak made the breakthrough in the second game, breaking serve and then consolidating it to take a 3-0 lead. He held on to that advantage for the remainder of the set, although Borges had an opportunity to get back into the contest in the seventh game. The Portuguese earned two break points, but Novak held firm, saving both before closing out the set without further trouble.
There were no break opportunities through the first eight games of the second set. Novak finally created one in the ninth game, but could not convert it. He then held serve in the following game to put the match on course for a tie-break. Novak dominated the shootout and wrapped it up 7-2 to secure the victory.
Novak remained solid on serve throughout the match, while Borges put up plenty of resistance from the baseline and managed to get almost everything back into play.
Novak’s second-round opponent at the China Open on Friday will be wild card Bu Yunchaokete of China, the world No. 104.
The 24-year-old Bu opened his campaign with a win over Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Photo: Profimedia
