Djokovic Makes It 30-0 in Beijing and Sets Up Bu Clash as Nishikori Faces Tiafoe in Tokyo Today
Djokovic stays unbeaten at the China Open on his return after 11 years, while Kei Nishikori meets Frances Tiafoe at the Japan Open this afternoon.
Tennis's Asian swing is in full flow, with ATP 500 events running in Beijing and Tokyo this week. Novak Djokovic made a winning return to the China Open on Wednesday. Today, Kei Nishikori plays Frances Tiafoe in Tokyo.
Djokovic: 30 wins from 30 in Beijing
Playing the China Open for the first time in 11 years, Djokovic beat Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6(2) in the first round. That made his record at the tournament 30 wins and no defeats.
The 39-year-old Serbian has won the title six times. Reuters reported that he is chasing a seventh crown, which would also be his first title of the season. The match lasted 1 hour 51 minutes, and Djokovic hit eight aces.
"In the second set when he started to play better, I struggled a little bit to stay fresh… played out a great tiebreak to close it out in two, so very happy for that," Djokovic said.
Home hope Bu sets up a big night
Djokovic's next opponent is Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete. He beat Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in 2 hours 19 minutes, giving the Beijing crowd a second-round match against a 24-time Grand Slam champion.
It was a tougher day for Zhang Zhizhen, China's other wildcard, who lost 6-4, 6-3 to French qualifier Arthur Gea.
Upset for Auger-Aliassime
The biggest shock of the opening day came when second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime lost 6-3, 6-3 to Karen Khachanov in 72 minutes. Jan-Lennard Struff also won.
With Jannik Sinner out with a knee injury and Carlos Alcaraz playing in Tokyo instead, Beijing's draw is more open than usual.
Tokyo: Tabilo stuns Paul as Sakamoto falls
At the Japan Open, seventh seed Tommy Paul was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by Chile's Alejandro Tabilo on Wednesday. Monaco's Valentin Vacherot, the eighth seed, beat Alexander Blockx 7-6(2), 7-6(4), and qualifier Arthur Fils beat fellow Frenchman Luca Van Assche 6-3, 6-2.
There was disappointment for the home crowd. Japanese wildcard Rei Sakamoto took the first set against Italy's Matteo Arnaldi but lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Today's Court 1 schedule in Tokyo (Malaysian time)
- 10am: Taylor Fritz vs Jaume Munar
- About 12.30pm: Frances Tiafoe vs Kei Nishikori
- About 3pm: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alex Michelsen
- About 5.30pm: Rafael Jodar vs Adolfo Daniel Vallejo
Nishikori, now ranked outside the world's top 400, faces an American who reached the US Open semi-finals last month. Japanese fans will hope the former world No. 4 can give them another memorable afternoon at the Ariake Coliseum. Defending champion Alcaraz starts his title defence later in the afternoon.
Key takeaways
- Djokovic beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6(2) and is now 30-0 at the China Open.
- Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete will face Djokovic in the second round.
- Second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime lost to Karen Khachanov in Beijing.
- Kei Nishikori plays Frances Tiafoe in Tokyo at about 12.30pm Malaysian time today.
FAQ
What is Djokovic's record at the China Open? He has won all 30 of his matches there and has won the title six times.
When does Nishikori play Tiafoe? The match is second on Court 1 in Tokyo, scheduled for around 1.30pm Japan time, or about 12.30pm in Malaysia, on Thursday, 1 October.
Why isn't Alcaraz playing in Beijing? He chose the Japan Open in Tokyo, where he is the top seed and defending champion.
Sources: ATP Tour, Reuters, Tennis Tonic, Tennis Uptodate, Archyde