Djokovic beats Zverev to reach China Open semi-finals and set 32-0 record

Novak Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open quarter-finals on Sunday, October 4, extending his unbeaten record at the Beijing tournament to 32 matches. Sky Sports reported that the 39-year-old's victory established the best start by a man at a tour-level singles event in the Open Era, surpassing Rafael Nadal's 31 consecutive wins to begin his French Open career.

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The result came against the tournament's top seed and this year's French Open and US Open champion. According to Reuters, Zverev struck 19 aces but could not turn his first-set advantage into victory. Djokovic struggled early, later acknowledging that two double faults and an early loss of serve had made his opening set difficult.

Djokovic secured both of the remaining sets by breaking when he led 5-4. The second-set break brought him level, while the same intervention in the decider ended the match after two hours and 35 minutes, Reuters reported. The pair had not played each other since the 2025 French Open, when Djokovic won in four sets.

Speaking after the match, Djokovic said he had tried to attack, approach the net and change the rhythm rather than repeatedly use the same patterns. Reuters reported that he was particularly pleased with his composure and execution in the closing games of the second and third sets, when he converted the opportunities that decided the contest.

The win added another chapter to Djokovic's long unbeaten run in Beijing. A six-time champion, he entered this year's event with a 29-0 tournament record and had not competed there since 2015. His most recent China Open title came that year with a victory over Nadal in the final, according to Sky Sports. Three wins on his return have now taken that record to 32-0.

Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals after the Russian beat Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Djokovic remains in pursuit of his first trophy of 2026 and a seventh China Open title. In comments carried by Sky Sports, he said competing on equal terms with the world's best players continued to provide motivation after a difficult season.