Novak Djokovic turned back the clock on Sunday, outlasting French Open and US Open champion Alexander Zverev with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win that propelled him into the China Open semi‑finals. The 39‑year‑old Serbian not only secured the match but also etched a fresh record into the Open Era: he now boasts a flawless 32‑0 start at a single tour‑level event, the best opening streak ever recorded for a men’s singles tournament. By achieving this unbeaten run, Djokovic eclipsed Rafael Nadal’s previous benchmark of 31 consecutive victories at the French Open, establishing a new standard for dominance at a single venue. The victory also reinforced Djokovic’s status as a six‑time champion in Beijing, a tournament where he previously compiled a perfect 29‑match record before his hiatus.
He returned to the capital for the first time since 2015, the year he defeated Nadal in the final to claim his sixth title there. "I had a terrible start.
Two double faults at the beginning. It was quite cold and honestly, I didn't feel warmed up, but my fault," Djokovic admitted after the match. "I gave him an early break and then it was hard to come back in the first set.
I had a couple of break points when he was serving for the set at 5‑4, but didn't use them, but I kind of felt already from midway through the first set that I was starting to get a good rhythm, at least on my serve and on serve plus one." The two had not faced each other for nearly 16 months, and the early exchanges reflected Zverev’s raw power. The German seized the opening set, exploiting Djokovic’s tentative start.
However, the Serbian’s experience and tactical adjustments soon turned the tide. In the second set, Djokovic broke Zverev’s serve at 5‑4, leveling the match and shifting momentum in his favor after a tightly contested battle. The third set unfolded as a nail‑biter, with both players trading holds and chances.
At 5‑4, Djokovic again broke Zverev’s serve, securing the decisive break that clinched the match. This win marked another step toward a potential seventh China Open crown and gave Djokovic his first title of the calendar year, while simultaneously denying Zverev a chance to close the gap in the race for the world No. 1 ranking. Looking ahead, Djokovic’s next challenge will be a quarter‑final showdown with Daniil Medvedev, who advanced after a straight‑sets win over Francisco Cerúndolo (7‑6 (7‑4), 6‑3).
The Serbian’s achievement also placed him among an exclusive trio of players in ATP history—since the tour’s modern era began in 1973—who have recorded a top‑three win after turning 39, joining legends Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors. "To be honest, these are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for," Djokovic reflected.
"The motivation is big obviously when you are feeling good and competing at par with the best players in the world, in front of 15,000 people of course. These are the kind of moments that define dreams, I think, of every tennis player. It's been a struggle this year, to be honest, for different reasons, but I'm still there, still grinding, still making the youngsters work for their money. I'm just glad to push it through." Former British No.
1 Annabel Croft, speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, described the encounter as "an incredible contest" and praised the quality of play. "Some high‑quality, absolutely fantastic tennis between two brilliant players.
Why would you ever doubt Novak Djokovic even at the age of 39? The match got better and better as well, and had some different tactical shifts for Djokovic, who after the long physical points, I thought his legs were tiring, but he came back. He threw in some drop shots, he threw in some serve‑and‑volleys early in the second set and just changed things up with the pattern of play. Djokovic came up with the answers.
It was on a knife edge right to the end but what a finish and what a treat for all those fans in Beijing." Djokovic’s 32‑0 streak at the China Open now sits alongside other remarkable unbeaten runs: Monica Seles’ 34‑0 start at the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal’s 31‑0 run at Roland Garros, and Novak’s own record. These figures highlight the rarity of such dominance in modern tennis, where depth of field and physical demands make long winning streaks increasingly difficult. The tournament also featured other headline moments.
In Beijing’s sister event, the Japan Open, top seed Carlos Alcaráz breezed through his quarter‑final in just 83 minutes after Denis Shapovalov retired trailing 7‑6 (7‑3), 2‑1, securing his place in the semi‑finals. Fans can continue to follow the action via streaming services that offer contract‑free access, such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, which broadcast both the WTA/ATP China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters live. The ongoing drama in Beijing promises more high‑stakes matchups as the season draws toward its climax, with Djokovic’s historic run serving as a reminder that age is just a number when talent, determination, and experience converge on the court.