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 his 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 start ever in a men’s singles event at the tour level, improving his Beijing tally to an unbeaten 32‑0. By clinching this win, Djokovic surpassed Rafael Nadal’s previous benchmark of 31 consecutive victories at a single event, a streak Nadal set during his dominance at the French Open.
The Serbian’s unbeaten run in Beijing now stands as the longest opening run at any ATP tournament since the Open Era began. Djokovic entered the Beijing competition as a six‑time champion, having previously won all 29 of his matches at the China Open before a hiatus that saw him miss the event after 2015. That year he defeated Nadal in the final to claim his sixth title, and his return this season marked his first appearance in the capital since that triumph. Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic admitted the start was far from flawless.
"I had a terrible start – two double faults right off the bat. It was quite cold and I didn’t feel warmed up, but that’s on me," he said. He added, "I gave Zverev an early break and then it was tough to get back into the first set. I had a couple of break points when he was serving for the set at 5‑4, but I didn’t convert them.
However, midway through the first set I began to find a rhythm, especially on my serve." The two players met for the first time in nearly 16 months, and Zverev’s power gave him the early advantage, allowing him to capture the opening set. Djokovic, however, demonstrated his trademark resilience, gradually turning the tide and refusing to let the German pull away. The pivotal moment arrived late in the second set when Djokovic broke Zverev’s serve at 5‑4, leveling the match and shifting momentum firmly in his favor after a tightly contested exchange. The third set proved equally tight, with both athletes trading holds and breaks.
At 5‑4 in the decider, Djokovic secured another crucial break on Zverev’s serve, sealing the match and advancing to the semi‑finals. This win not only brought him one step closer to a seventh China Open crown but also represented his first tournament title of the year, while simultaneously denying Zverev a chance to bolster his campaign for the world No. 1 ranking. The victory also placed Djokovic among an elite trio of players in ATP history—since 1973—to record a top‑three win after turning 39, joining legends Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors.
"These are the moments I still play for," Djokovic remarked. "The motivation is huge when you feel good and can compete with the best in front of 15,000 fans. These are the kind of moments that define a tennis player's dreams. It’s been a struggle this year for various reasons, but I’m still here, still grinding, still making the younger players work for their money.
I’m just glad to push 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 kept getting better, with tactical shifts – he threw in drop shots, early serve‑and‑volleys in the second set, and changed the pattern of play. Djokovic found the answers. It was on a knife‑edge right to the end, but what a finish and what a treat for the fans in Beijing." Djokovic’s next challenge will be a semi‑final clash with Daniil Medvedev, who earlier dispatched Francisco Cerúndolo 7‑6 (7‑4), 6‑3.
Meanwhile, at the Japan Open, top seed Carlos Alcaraz breezed into the semi‑finals in just 83 minutes after Denis Shapovalov retired while trailing 7‑6 (7‑3), 2‑1. The broader context of Djokovic’s achievement underscores his enduring excellence. His 32‑0 start in Beijing surpasses the 34‑0 streak Monica Seles set at the Australian Open and Nadal’s 31‑0 run at Roland Garros, highlighting the Serbian’s capacity to dominate even as he approaches the twilight of his career.
For fans eager to follow the action, live streams of the China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters are available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering contract‑free viewing of both ATP and WTA events.