Novak Djokovic is through to the Beijing Open quarter-finals despite again struggling with physical issues. The Serbian great beat home hope Bu Yunchaokete 6-4 6-7(2) 6-2 to set up a potential last-eight clash against world No.2 Alexander Zverev.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost his first set in 29 at the tournament he has never lost at. It was also just the fourth set he has ever dropped at an event he is playing in for the first time since 2015.
Physical issues persist
Despite keeping his unbeaten record in Beijing alive with a 31st straight win in the Chinese capital, physical issues again appeared to compromise the 39-year-old. Djokovic was seen bending over early on in the contest against world No.104 Bu and received a medical timeout during the second set.
It continues a concerning run of health issues after he crumbled in Cincinnati to Thiago Tirante before crashing out in the US Open first round to Mariano Navone. The former world No.1 also endured physical problems during his opening match in Beijing this year - a straight-sets win over Nuno Borges on Wednesday.
