Djokovic rallies past Zverev to extend unbeaten Beijing record to 32 matches

Novak Djokovic recovered from a set down to defeat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open quarter-finals on Sunday, October 4. The victory kept the 39-year-old unbeaten in Beijing across 32 matches and secured a semi-final against Daniil Medvedev. Sky Sports reported that Djokovic is still seeking his first trophy of the year.

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Zverev established control early by breaking in the opening game and using that advantage to take the first set. According to BBC Sport, Djokovic initially struggled against the German's power before finding a way back into their first meeting in almost 16 months. The Serbian eventually broke with a 5-4 lead in the second set to force a decider.

The final set followed a similarly close pattern, with Djokovic again making the decisive breakthrough while leading 5-4 on Zverev's serve. That second late break ended the match and kept his pursuit of a seventh China Open title alive. BBC Sport reported that Djokovic acknowledged a difficult season afterwards but expressed satisfaction at continuing to compete with younger opponents.

The result also brought a milestone beyond this week's tournament. Sky Sports reported that Djokovic's 32 consecutive victories from his first appearance in Beijing surpassed Rafael Nadal's 31-match winning start at the French Open, setting a men's Open Era record at a tour-level event. Djokovic arrived at this year's tournament with a 29-0 record, returning for the first time since beating Nadal in the 2015 final.

The serving statistics underline how little separated the players. Tennis Majors reported that Djokovic held in 14 of his 15 service games and won 82 percent of points behind his first serve. Zverev struck 19 aces without a double fault, but Djokovic converted two of five break-point opportunities. Across the match, Djokovic won 95 of the 180 points played.

Medvedev reached the last four by beating Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 and is scheduled to face Djokovic on Monday, according to BBC Sport. The other semi-final pairs Hubert Hurkacz with Alex de Minaur. Hurkacz defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, while De Minaur recovered from losing the opening set to overcome Andrey Rublev 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.