Novak Djokovic turned back the clock on Sunday, overcoming French Open and US Open champion Alexander Zverev in a three‑set battle (4-6, 6-4, 6-4) to secure a place in the semi‑finals of the China Open. The 39‑year‑old Serbian not only advanced in the tournament but also etched a new record in the Open Era by achieving the best unbeaten start at a single ATP event, improving his Beijing tally to an immaculate 32‑0. By clinching this win, Djokovic surpassed Rafael Nadal’s previous benchmark of 31 consecutive victories at one tournament – Nadal had set that mark during his dominant run at the French Open. The Serbian’s flawless record in Beijing now stands as the longest streak ever recorded at a tour‑level event since the Open Era began.
Djokovic’s connection with the China Open runs deep. He is a six‑time champion in the capital city and entered the 2024 edition having never lost a match there, boasting a 29‑0 record before his 2023 hiatus. His last appearance in Beijing was in 2015, when he defeated Nadal in a dramatic final to claim his sixth title. Reflecting on his opening service games, Djokovic admitted the start was far from smooth.
“I had a terrible start – two double faults right away. It was chilly and I didn’t feel warmed up, but that’s on me,” he told reporters. He went on to describe how he managed to break Zverev early in the first set, yet struggled to convert the advantage.
“I had a couple of break points when he was serving for the set at 5‑4, but I didn’t take them. By the middle of the first set I began to find a rhythm with my serve and my return,” he added.
The two rivals had not faced each other for nearly 16 months, their previous encounter being a four‑set win for Djokovic at the 2023 French Open. In Beijing, Zverev began the match assertively, using his powerful groundstrokes to claim the opening set. However, Djokovic’s experience and tactical versatility gradually turned the tide.
The pivotal moment arrived late in the second set when he broke Zverev’s serve at 5‑4, equalising the match and shifting momentum in his favour. The third set was a tightly contested affair, with both players exchanging holds of serve until Djokovic once again broke at 5‑4, this time on Zverev’s serve, to clinch the decisive set and the match. The win not only propelled Djokovic closer to a seventh China Open crown but also denied Zverev a chance to gain further ground in his pursuit of the world No. 1 ranking.
Looking ahead, the Serbian’s next challenge will be a showdown with Daniil Medvedev, who earlier dispatched Francisco Cerúndolo 7‑6(4), 6‑3. Djokovic’s Beijing streak also places him among an exclusive trio of players in ATP history – since 1973 – to record a top‑three win after turning 39, joining legends Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors.
“I still play for moments like this,” Djokovic said after the match. “The motivation is huge when you feel good and can compete on equal terms with the best in the world, especially in front of 15,000 fans.
These are the kind of moments that define every tennis player’s dream. It’s been a tough year for me for various reasons, but I’m still here, still grinding, still making the younger players earn their money.
I’m just glad to push through.” Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, hailed the encounter as an "incredible contest" and praised the quality of tennis on display.
"Both players produced absolutely fantastic tennis. Why would anyone doubt Novak Djokovic even at 39? The match kept improving, with Djokovic making tactical adjustments – dropping in some drop shots, mixing in serve‑and‑volley attempts early in the second set, and varying his patterns of play. He found the answers when his legs seemed tired, and the finish was razor‑sharp, a real treat for the Beijing crowd," she observed.
For context, Djokovic’s Beijing unbeaten run now stands at 32‑0, compared with Monica Seles’s 34‑0 record at the Australian Open, and Nadal’s 31‑0 streak at Roland Garros. These figures underscore the rarity of such dominance at a single venue.
In other news from the Asian swing, top seed Carlos Alcaraz breezed through his round‑of‑16 match at the Japan Open, spending just 83 minutes on court before Denis Shapovalov retired while trailing 7‑6(3), 2‑1, securing Alcaraz’s place in that tournament’s semi‑finals. Fans can continue to follow the action live via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, which stream both the WTA and ATP events, including the China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters. The Beijing tournament remains a focal point of the late‑season calendar, offering players a chance to solidify their rankings and chase historic milestones as the tour moves toward its culminating events.