China Open 2026: Djokovic wins return after 11 years, Auger-Aliassime upset by Khachanov
Synopsis
Djokovic's China Open comeback after 11 years ended in a straight-sets win — but the bigger story is Khachanov, who has now eliminated Auger-Aliassime at both the US Open and the China Open within weeks, raising serious questions about the Canadian's ability to handle the Russian's game when it matters most.
Key Takeaways
Novak Djokovic beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2) in his China Open first-round return on 30 September 2026 — his first appearance at the tournament since 2015 .
Djokovic is the most successful men's player at the China Open, having won the title six times (2009, 2010, 2012–2015).
Second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was knocked out by Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 — his second straight-sets loss to the Russian in as many weeks.
Djokovic next faces China's Buyunchaokete , who beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo in three sets.
Top seed Alexander Zverev plays Cameron Norrie on Thursday; Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen faces Shi Han in the women's draw.
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, made a commanding return to the China Open in Beijing on Wednesday, 30 September, defeating Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the men's singles first round. In a major upset on the same day, second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada was beaten in straight sets by Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 on Diamond Court.
Djokovic's Return After 11 Years
The Serbian veteran, now 39, was last seen at the China Open in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final to claim his sixth title at the tournament. He remains the most successful men's singles player in China Open history, having lifted the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Wednesday's win was not entirely smooth. Djokovic described a physical struggle in parts of the first set before finding his rhythm in the second. 'Again, great feeling for most of the first set, but a kind of struggle physically a bit there. Then, it was a different match in a sense. I was serving well. In my service games, I was going through quite comfortably in the second set, particularly. In the tie-break, I played great and was really happy to close it out in two sets,' he said.
Djokovic also credited the crowd for providing an electric atmosphere. 'I honestly didn't expect the stadium to be full for the first match. Chinese people are unbelievably passionate about tennis. They deserve every bit of action and energy coming from us on the court. We are trying our best to return the love and passion,' he added.
Auger-Aliassime Suffers Back-to-Back Khachanov Loss
The upset of the day came on Diamond Court, where second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was dismantled by Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets. Notably, this is the second consecutive major-event defeat Auger-Aliassime has suffered at Khachanov's hands — the Russian had also eliminated the Canadian in the second round of the US Open earlier this month, suggesting a growing pattern of dominance in their head-to-head.
Other First-Round Results
On the men's side, China's Zhang Zhizhen fell to French qualifier Arthur Gea 6-4, 6-3, denying the home crowd an expected domestic run. In the women's draw, China's Yuan Yue advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova, while compatriot Bai Zhuoxuan was beaten by the Czech Republic's Linda Fruhvirtova 6-2, 6-3.
What to Watch on Thursday
Djokovic's next opponent is China's Buyunchaokete, who came through a three-set battle against Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. The home crowd will have an extra incentive to fill the stands. On Thursday, top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany faces Britain's Cameron Norrie, and a marquee women's clash pits Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen against compatriot Shi Han in an all-Chinese first-round encounter.
Point of View
But the more instructive story is Khachanov's demolition of Auger-Aliassime — for the second time in a matter of weeks. A player ranked second at a Masters-level event losing in straight sets to the same opponent twice in quick succession is not a variance event; it is a matchup problem that Auger-Aliassime's coaching team needs to solve. Meanwhile, Djokovic's admission of physical struggle in the first set, even against a player of Borges' level, is worth monitoring as the draw deepens. A returning champion at 39 can paper over fitness questions in round one — the later rounds will be less forgiving.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Novak Djokovic last play at the China Open before 2026?
Djokovic last competed at the China Open in 2015, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final to win his sixth title at the tournament. His 2026 appearance marks an 11-year gap between visits to Beijing.
What is Djokovic's record at the China Open?
Djokovic is the most decorated men's singles player in China Open history, having won the tournament six times — in 2009, 2010, and consecutively from 2012 to 2015. No other men's player comes close to that tally.
Why is the Auger-Aliassime loss significant?
Felix Auger-Aliassime's defeat by Karen Khachanov at the China Open is his second straight-sets loss to the Russian within weeks, following the same result at the US Open. The back-to-back defeats highlight a recurring matchup problem for the second seed.
Who does Djokovic play next at the China Open 2026?
Djokovic will face China's Buyunchaokete in the second round after the home player beat Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in the first round.
What are the key matches on Thursday at the China Open?
Top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany faces Cameron Norrie of Britain in the men's draw on Thursday. In the women's singles, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen goes up against fellow Chinese player Shi Han in an all-Chinese first-round clash.
