BEIJING, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Novak Djokovic, seeking to hold onto the world No. 1 ranking, survived a three-set scare Thursday in a second-round match at the ATP's China Open.
Djokovic escaped Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. Verdasco cashed in both of his break chances in the second set but only managed one break opportunity in the third, which Djokovic saved, and his upset bid fell short.