Djokovic Beats Top Seed Zverev to Reach China Open Semifinals
Serbian extends unbeaten Beijing streak to 32 matches; Medvedev awaits
2 min read
BEIJING — Novak Djokovic battled from a set down to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open quarterfinals on Sunday, preserving an unbeaten record in Beijing that now stands at 32 matches.
The 39-year-old Serbian will face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals after Medvedev earlier beat Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Djokovic's win also dented Zverev's bid to finish the year as world No. 1, BBC Sport and Sky Sports reported.
Zverev, the French Open and US Open champion, took the opening set after breaking in the first game. Djokovic leveled by breaking at 5-4 in the second set, then struck again at 5-4 on Zverev's serve in the third to close out the match.
Unbeaten in Beijing
Sky Sports said Djokovic's 32-0 start in Beijing is the best opening at a single men's tour-level event in the Open Era, surpassing Rafael Nadal's first 31 matches at the French Open. Djokovic is a six-time China Open champion seeking a seventh title and a first trophy of a difficult 2026 season.
"These are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for," Djokovic said. "The motivation is big when you are feeling good and competing at par with the best players in the world in front of 15,000 people."
What comes next
Djokovic and Zverev had not met for nearly 16 months. The Serbian admitted a cold start with early double faults before finding rhythm. ATP Tour and BBC coverage framed the result as another statement from a veteran still grinding through fitness challenges.
Elsewhere, Hubert Hurkacz and Alex de Minaur also reached the last four in Beijing.
Sources: BBC Sport; Sky Sports; ATP Tour
