Despite facing a resilient opponent and requiring medical attention for the second time this week, Djokovic secured a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 win to advance to the quarterfinals. The 39-year-old, who has claimed the China Open title six times, last triumphed at the venue in 2015.
Overcoming Adversity to Reach Quarterfinals
The match proved to be a grueling three-hour contest that tested the veteran’s resolve. After dropping the opening set, Djokovic faced a physical setback, requiring a medical timeout for an issue around his rib area—the same concern that prompted treatment during his first-round match on Wednesday. However, he managed to regain his composure, forcing a second-set tiebreaker which he dominated to level the match.
Djokovic carried that momentum into the decider, breaking his opponent’s serve twice to establish a commanding 4-0 lead. He eventually closed out the match on his second match point with a precise crosscourt backhand. Reflecting on the challenge, Djokovic praised his opponent’s consistency and the intensity of the crowd, noting that he had to rely on his serve during critical moments to find a way through.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will face either top-seeded Alexander Zverev or Juncheng Shang in the next round. Elsewhere in the men's draw, sixth-seeded Daniil Medvedev advanced comfortably, defeating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-2 to set up a clash with Jan-Lennard Struff.
In the women's competition, second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka made a swift return to form, dispatching Renata Zarazua 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour. It marked her first appearance since the US Open final. Meanwhile, No. 12 seed Naomi Osaka required a much longer battle to progress, eventually overcoming Maria Timofeeva in a three-set encounter that lasted 124 minutes.
