Djokovic beats Zverev to reach China Open semi-finals and extend unbeaten record

Novak Djokovic recovered from a set down to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open quarter-finals on Sunday, securing a semi-final against Daniil Medvedev. The 39-year-old extended his unbeaten record in Beijing to 32 matches, with EFE reporting that the victory established a new Open-era benchmark for an undefeated start at a single tournament.

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Djokovic moved beyond the 31 consecutive victories with which Rafael Nadal began his Roland Garros career. The distinction concerns wins from a player's first appearance at an event, rather than every kind of tournament winning streak. Ranked 11th, the six-time Beijing champion achieved the milestone against the world number two on the hard court at the Diamond stadium, according to EFE.

Zverev controlled the opening set on serve, giving Djokovic no break-point opportunities, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported. The Serbian still faced a serious threat late in the second set, saving a break point at 4-4. Having protected his own serve at that crucial stage, Djokovic broke in the final game of the set to bring the match level.

The deciding set also turned in its closing stages. Djokovic again applied pressure to Zverev's forehand and claimed the decisive break to complete the comeback. La Gazzetta reported that the result took him into his seventh Beijing semi-final. Zverev's strong service performance had put him in contention, but he could not convert his early advantage into a place in the last four.

Medvedev now stands between Djokovic and another final in the Chinese capital. According to AS, Djokovic has won 10 of their 15 previous meetings. The Spanish newspaper also reported that this is the Serbian's 202nd career semi-final and his third of the season, following appearances at that stage at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

The defeat interrupted a season in which Zverev has won Roland Garros and the US Open, EFE reported. His French Open success was his first major title: the ATP confirmed in June that he beat Flavio Cobolli in the final after losing three previous Grand Slam finals. In Beijing, however, Djokovic's unbeaten tournament record survived their latest encounter.