Novak Djokovic turned back the clock on Sunday, overcoming the reigning 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 China Open semi‑finals. The 39‑year‑old Serbian not only advanced but also etched a new record into the Open Era annals: he became the first man to start a tour‑level event with a flawless 32‑0 run in Beijing. This achievement nudged him past Rafael Nadal, whose own historic start at the French Open ended at 31 consecutive wins. Djokovic’s dominance in Beijing is already legendary.
He has claimed the title six times, and before this year’s comeback he had amassed a perfect 29‑0 record at the tournament. His last appearance there was in 2015, when he defeated Nadal in the final to capture his sixth crown. Returning after a decade‑long hiatus, Djokovic said he struggled early on, "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," he admitted. Despite the shaky opening, he managed to break Zverev early, creating a crucial lead that helped him weather the first‑set pressure.
The German, a powerful left‑hander who had not faced Djokovic in nearly 16 months, seized the first set with a confident display of his aggressive baseline game. Zverev’s serve and forehand were on point, and he capitalised on a few unforced errors from the Serbian to take the opening 6-4. However, Djokovic’s experience and tactical versatility soon began to turn the tide. He adjusted his rhythm, mixing deep groundstrokes with well‑timed drop shots and occasional serve‑and‑volley attempts, especially in the second set.
At 5-4 down in that set, Djokovic broke Zverev’s serve, leveling the match and shifting momentum firmly in his favour. The third set was a tight affair, with both players holding serve until Djokovic again broke at 5-4, this time on Zverev’s service game, sealing a decisive advantage. The Serbian’s composure under pressure proved decisive, as he closed out the match with a final break that left the Beijing crowd of 15,000 cheering wildly.
This victory marked several milestones. Djokovic became only the third player in ATP history since 1973 to earn a top‑three win after turning 39, joining the ranks of Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors. It also brought him one step closer to a seventh China Open title and his first trophy of the calendar year, while simultaneously denying Zverev a chance to bolster his campaign for the world No. 1 ranking.
Reflecting on the win, Djokovic said, "To be honest, these are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for. 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." His words underscore the resilience that has defined his career, especially after a season hampered by injuries and inconsistent form. Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, praised the encounter as "an incredible contest" and highlighted the high‑quality tennis on display.
"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," she added.
Statistically, Djokovic’s 32‑0 streak in Beijing 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 historic record. These figures illustrate how rare it is for a player to dominate a single event from the very first round through to the later stages.
Looking ahead, Djokovic’s next challenge will be a quarter‑final clash with Daniil Medvedev, who advanced by defeating Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. The prospect of a Djokovic‑Medvedev showdown adds further intrigue to the tournament, as both men bring contrasting styles—Djokovic’s defensive brilliance and Medvedev’s unorthodox, flat groundstrokes.
Beyond the men’s draw, the China Open continues to showcase top‑tier tennis across both ATP and WTA tours. In the women's event, fans can expect high‑stakes matches as the world’s best compete for valuable ranking points.
Meanwhile, the nearby Shanghai Masters offers another ATP 1000 opportunity, drawing elite players seeking to cap off a busy Asian swing. For viewers, the tournament is available via multiple streaming platforms, including NOW and the Sky Sports app, which provide live coverage without contractual obligations. Whether you are a casual fan or a dedicated tennis aficionado, the Beijing spectacle promises more drama, skill, and unforgettable moments as the season progresses.