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 book his place in the semi‑finals of the China Open. The 39‑year‑old Serbian not only secured the win but also etched a new record into the Open Era: he became the first man to start a tour‑level event with a perfect 32‑0 run in Beijing, surpassing Rafael Nadal’s previous benchmark of 31 straight victories at the French Open.
Djokovic’s triumph in Beijing marked his sixth title at the tournament, a record that underscores his dominance on the hard courts of China. Prior to this appearance, he had amassed a flawless 29‑match winning streak at the event, a streak that stretched back to his 2015 victory over Nadal in the final.
After a ten‑year hiatus, the Serbian returned to a familiar setting and quickly reminded the crowd why he is considered one of the sport’s all‑time greats. "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 in the post‑match interview. "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 match was the first meeting between the two stars in nearly 16 months. Zverev, known for his powerful baseline game, seized the opening set, exploiting a sluggish start from Djokovic.
However, the Serbian champion gradually found his footing, adjusting his footwork and varying his shot selection to neutralise the German’s aggression. The turning point arrived late in the second set when Djokovic broke Zverev’s serve at 5‑4, leveling the match and shifting the psychological momentum in his favour.
The third set proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both players exchanging holds and creating break opportunities. At 5‑4, Djokovic again broke Zverev, this time sealing the decisive break that clinched the match.
The win not only propelled him toward a potential seventh China Open crown but also denied Zverev a crucial chance to close the gap in the race for the world No. 1 ranking.
Beyond the immediate result, Djokovic’s performance carries historical significance. By winning at 39, he joined an exclusive trio of players—Ken Rosewall, Jimmy Connors and himself—who have recorded a top‑three victory after turning 39, a feat achieved only since the ATP era began in 1973. His resilience this season, despite a calendar marred by injuries and fitness concerns, demonstrates a remarkable capacity to compete at the highest level.
"To be honest, these are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for," Djokovic said. "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." The victory also placed Djokovic one step away from a potential seventh China Open title, a milestone that would further cement his legacy on the ATP Tour. His next challenge will be a quarter‑final clash with Daniil Medvedev, who had earlier dispatched Francisco Cerúndolo 7‑6 (7‑4), 6‑3.
A win over Medvedev would not only keep Djokovic’s title hopes alive but also reinforce his claim as the sport’s most enduring champion. Statistically, Djokovic’s 32‑0 start in Beijing now tops the all‑time best starts at a single event in the Open Era, edging out Nadal’s 31‑0 run at Roland Garros. For context, the record is comparable to Monica Seles’s flawless 34‑0 start at the Australian Open, highlighting the rarity of such dominance in modern tennis. Beyond the numbers, the match illustrated the evolving nature of Djokovic’s game.
After the initial setbacks, he employed a mixture of deep, heavy groundstrokes, precise angles, and timely net approaches, showcasing a tactical versatility that has become his hallmark. His ability to adjust mid‑match, particularly by introducing drop shots and serve‑and‑volley tactics, disrupted Zverev’s rhythm and forced the German to play from uncomfortable positions. The broader tournament narrative also featured other notable performances. In the Japan Open, top seed Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the semi‑finals in just 83 minutes after Denis Shapovalov retired while trailing 7‑6 (7‑3), 2‑1.
Meanwhile, fans worldwide could follow live coverage of the China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters via streaming platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, ensuring that the excitement reached a global audience. In summary, Djokovic’s victory over Zverev was more than a single match win; it was a statement of longevity, adaptability, and relentless competitiveness. As he looks ahead to the Medvedev showdown, the tennis world will be watching to see if the Serbian can continue to rewrite history and add another prestigious trophy to his already illustrious cabinet.