Top-seeded Novak Djokovic opened defense of his China Open title on Tuesday with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Gong Maoxin.
Djokovic, ranked No. 2 after a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, won 87 percent on his first serve points.
Second-seeded Andy Murray defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-3, and third-seeded Robin Soderling dropped the first set before rallying past Tommy Robredo 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Murray served up 10 aces to beat Mathieu, once ranked as high 12th. He had to qualify for the main draw after a series of injuries.
In other first round matches, Alexandr Dolgopolov beat Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 6-4, and Nicolas Almagro defeated Lukasz Kubot 7-5, 6-2. Fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko defeated Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-4.
In the second round of women's singles, Maria Sharapova made 18 unforced errors in losing to Elena Vesnina 7-6 (3), 6-2. Sharapova lost in the opening round in Tokyo last week.
Li Na defeated Alisa Kleybanova of Russia 6-1, 6-4, and 14th-ranked Shahar Peer beat Patty Schnyder 6-4, 6-2. Petra Kvitova defeated Kaia Kanepi 7-5, 6-7, 6-2.
