Djokovic Survives Scare at China Open

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic survived a fierce test in Beijing on Friday, coming from behind to defeat Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in the second round of the China Open.

The 39-year-old Serbian, who holds an unbeaten 31-0 record in Beijing, spent nearly three hours battling past the 24-year-old home favourite.

Djokovic required a medical timeout for his torso in the second set after surrendering a break, but he dominated the tie-break and stormed through the deciding set to seal the win.

He advances to the quarter-finals to face top seed Alexander Zverev or Shang Juncheng.

In the women’s draw, world number two Aryna Sabalenka launched her tournament campaign with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in just 62 minutes.

Sabalenka fired 11 aces to reach the third round against Czech player Nikola Bartunkova.

Elsewhere, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka overcame a second-set stumble to defeat Maria Timofeeva 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, setting up a clash with Sara Bejlek.

Other notable women’s contenders secured third-round spots following early setbacks. Mirra Andreeva rallied after dropping the opening set to bagel Yuan Yue 3-6, 6-0, 6-0, while Linda Noskova dispatched Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4, 6-1.

In the men’s tournament, Daniil Medvedev overpowered qualifier Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-2 with relentless forehand winners, booking a second-round match against Jan-Lennard Struff.