Overview
- Novak Djokovic rallied from a set down to beat Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 and advanced to the China Open quarterfinals, extending his Beijing record to 31-0 on Friday.
- He required on‑court treatment during the match and has described 2026 as a “big, big struggle” physically while declining to disclose full medical details.
- Djokovic could meet top seed Alexander Zverev in the last eight if Zverev defeats Juncheng Shang, with the quarterfinal scheduled to follow the second‑round matches.
- Aryna Sabalenka opened her WTA campaign with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Renata Zarazua and is set to play Nikola Bartunkova in the next round.
- Several high-profile absences, including Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula and Marta Kostyuk plus Alexandra Eala’s Asian Games decision, have opened the draws and increased the tournament’s late‑season ranking significance.