Novak Djokovic advances as health issue persists
Novak Djokovic beat Bu Yunchaokete at the China Open while continuing to manage an unresolved health issue.
A demanding second-round win
Novak Djokovic moved into the next round of the China Open after recovering against Bu Yunchaokete on Friday. He dropped the first set 4-6, then took a tight second set 7-6(2). It was taxing. Djokovic found a higher level late, despite physical discomfort that had affected him through much of the contest.
Bu, ranked No. 104, pushed Djokovic hard before the Serbian completed the win with a 6-2 final set. The match did not follow the gap between their rankings, as Bu made Djokovic work for control in the longer exchanges and the close second set. Djokovic's recent record is 7-3 across his last ten completed matches. His finish in Beijing offered a needed response after a difficult opening stretch.
Health remains the main issue
The physical issue, Djokovic said, is connected to health rather than stamina. He did not give details, but said he and his team are working to improve his condition for competition. The situation remains unresolved. It has often forced him to direct energy toward managing discomfort instead of planning points and responding to his opponent's patterns.
Those problems appeared during both China Open matches and in opening losses at the US Open and Cincinnati Masters in August. Djokovic felt fresher late against Bu, particularly toward the end of the second set and throughout the third. At 39, he said the change allowed him to focus on playing tennis again. That feeling gave him some encouragement, even though the issue continues to affect his tournament routine.
The opening match offered another test
Before facing Bu, Djokovic began his China Open run with a straight-set victory over Nuno Borges. He beat Borges 6-3, 7-6(2), while also dealing with uncomfortable physical spells. He still advanced. The opening match showed that Djokovic could manage a tight scoreline even without feeling fully settled physically.
Borges is ranked No. 49 and has won six of his last ten completed matches. Djokovic faced a different kind of challenge against Bu, who has also won six of his last ten, as the Chinese player took the first set and extended the contest. Both matches demanded adjustments. Djokovic's ability to recover against Bu will matter more if his physical condition remains inconsistent in later rounds.
Turin target shapes the decisions ahead
The ATP Finals in Turin remain a goal for Djokovic, provided he qualifies. That target gives his remaining choices added weight. He plans to play Paris Bercy. Shanghai is still undecided because he wants to assess his condition in China before confirming whether he will enter.
For now, Beijing comes first. Djokovic will judge how he feels after each match rather than commit too far beyond the current event. His late surge against Bu was encouraging because he felt more capable as the match continued. Still, one strong finish does not settle the larger health concern. The next rounds will show whether he can carry that improvement through another demanding match.
Court Shark win probabilities are statistical estimates, not advice. No outcome is guaranteed.
Methodology and sources
How we build model estimates and where our information comes from.
Sources and citations
Rankings and recent results for the players named come from the Court Shark match database. The story is public tennis news, written up by the desk in its own words.
Limitations
Player figures are a snapshot taken when the story was written and do not update after publication.
About the desk
Who writes the Journal and how an article is put together. Read about the desk
Editorial standards
What we publish, what we check and how we decide what is fit to print. Read our standards
Corrections
Spotted an error? Write to hello@courtshark.ai and we will correct it and note the change. Read the corrections policy