Djokovic Advances in Beijing
Novak Djokovic defeats Alexander Zverev to reach the China Open semi-finals.
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Novak Djokovic defeated top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the China Open semifinals, staging a comeback from a set down in 2 hours and 34 minutes. BBC The 39-year-old Serbian will face Daniil Medvedev next, extending his perfect 32-0 record at the Beijing tournament and moving within two wins of his seventh China Open title and first ATP trophy of 2026.
The victory dents Zverev's bid to finish 2026 as world No. 1. AOL The German top seed hit 19 aces but couldn't capitalize on an early lead, as Djokovic's defensive play and late breaks in sets two and three proved decisive in the matchup.
Djokovic Claws Back After First-Set Loss
Zverev broke Djokovic twice in the opening set, winning 6-4 after the Serb's two double-faults early on. DevDiscourse But Djokovic locked down his game in set two, tightening his serve and forcing Zverev into mistakes at key moments. At 5-4 up, Djokovic broke Zverev's serve to steal the set 6-4 and force a decider.
In the third set, the match remained tight until 5-4, where Djokovic again broke Zverev's serve under pressure to seal the win. Sunday Guardian Live Djokovic won 18 of 22 net points, showcasing the defensive sharpness that kept him in rallies longer than the younger, more powerful German.
An Unbeaten Streak That Shatters Tournament Records
With this victory, Djokovic improved to 32-0 in Beijing, breaking Rafael Nadal's Open Era record of 31 consecutive wins at a single tournament (Nadal's Roland Garros streak ended in 2009). Radio Royal The 39-year-old last played the China Open in 2015, when he won his sixth title. His return this year has been flawless.
The streak represents one of tennis's rarest feats: total dominance at one venue across different eras. BBC Djokovic's unbeaten run at Beijing now marks the best active single-tournament record on the men's tour, a testament to his adaptability despite being the oldest player in the tournament.
Road to a Seventh Title and Zverev's Ranking Hopes Fade
Djokovic's semifinal opponent will be Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(4), 6-3 in his quarterfinal. AOL If Djokovic wins the title, it would be his first ATP trophy of 2026 after an injury-plagued season earlier in the year. DevDiscourse Winning would also tie him for most China Open titles in the men's game.
For Zverev, the loss stalls his chase for world No. 1, a gap he was trying to close on Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings. BBC The 27-year-old reigning French Open and US Open champion had been the tour's most dominant player this year but fell short in Beijing despite entering as the top seed.
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