BEIJING: Novak Djokovic survived a scare to beat outsider Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in the second round of the China Open on Friday in Beijing.
It was not an easy fight for the 39-year-old Serbian, a firm favourite 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.
