Novak Djokovic survives China Open scare

BEIJING — Novak Djokovic survived a scare to beat outsider Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the second round of the China Open on Friday night in Beijing. It was not an easy fight for the 39-year-old Serbian, a firm favorite in China who has never lost in Beijing in 31 matches. Pumped-up home hope Bu, 24, threatened to spoil the party in the marathon two-hour 52-minute match, frustrating Djokovic by pushing him back and forth across the baseline. The former world number one needed a medical timeout for his torso after giving back a break in the second set, but held on in a tense tie-break to force a deciding third. Back with better tennis, 11th-ranked Djokovic won four games in a row and held serve before sinking a backhand winner. “Amazing atmosphere tonight,” Djokovic told an electrified crowd, adding he “tried to give my all”. Ongoing health issues have clouded the tennis star’s 2026 season, his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam ending with a shock first-round exit at the US Open after vomiting and cramping on court. But feeling refreshed in Friday’s decider was a welcome change from “investing my emotional, mental... and physical” energy on those issues rather than his…