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 fresh record into the Open Era annals: he now boasts a flawless 32‑0 start at a single tour‑level event, the best such opening streak in men’s singles history. By achieving this milestone, Djokovic eclipsed Rafael Nadal, whose longest unbeaten run at a single event stood at 31 matches, all won at the French Open. The Beijing venue has long been a stronghold for the Serbian star.
He is a six‑time champion in the capital and entered this edition having never lost a match there – 29 straight victories before his 2024 return, the first since 2015 when he defeated Nadal in the final to claim his sixth title. Djokovic’s post‑match comments reflected the rocky beginning of his encounter: “I had a terrible start.
Two double faults at the beginning. It was quite cold and honestly, I didn’t feel warmed up, but that’s my fault.” He added that an early break against Zverev gave the German a foothold, and despite having chances to close the first set at 5‑4, Djokovic was unable to convert. Yet, midway through the opening set, he sensed his rhythm returning, especially on his serve, which allowed him to stay competitive. The two players had not faced each other for nearly 16 months, the previous meeting taking place at the French Open last year, where Djokovic prevailed in four sets.
In Beijing, Zverev started strongly, using his powerful baseline game to claim the first set 6‑4. However, the Serbian’s experience and tactical adaptability gradually turned the tide. The pivotal moment arrived late in the second set when Djokovic broke Zverev’s serve at 5‑4, equalising the match and shifting momentum in his favour. The third set proved to be a nail‑biter, with both competitors trading holds until Djokovic again broke at 5‑4, this time on Zverev’s serve, sealing the decisive break and ultimately the match.
Beyond the immediate result, the win moved Djokovic a step closer to a seventh China Open crown and his first tournament triumph of the year. It also denied Zverev a valuable opportunity to strengthen his push for the world No.
1 ranking. The Serbian’s next challenge will be a semi‑final clash with Daniil Medvedev, who earlier dispatched Francisco Cerúndolo 7‑6(7‑4), 6‑3. Djokovic’s achievement is historically significant: he becomes only the third player since the ATP’s modern era began in 1973 to register a top‑three win after turning 39, joining legends Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors. Reflecting on the milestone, Djokovic said, “These are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for.
The motivation is huge when you’re feeling good and you’re competing on equal footing with the best players in the world, in front of 15,000 fans. These moments define the dreams of every tennis player. It’s been a struggle this year for many reasons, but I’m still here, 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,” praising the high‑quality tennis on display.
She noted, “Why would you ever doubt Novak Djokovic even at the age of 39? The match kept getting better, with tactical shifts that saw him employ drop shots, early serve‑and‑volley attempts in the second set, and varied patterns of play.
He found the answers at every turn. It was a knife‑edge finish and a real treat for the fans in Beijing.” The broader context of the tournament featured other notable performances.
In the Japan Open, top seed Carlos Alcaraz breezed through his quarter‑final in just 83 minutes, advancing to the semi‑finals after Denis Shapovalov retired while trailing 7‑6(7‑3), 2‑1. Fans worldwide can follow live action on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, which stream both the WTA and ATP China Open events as well as the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters.
Statistically, Djokovic’s 32‑0 run in Beijing now sits alongside other remarkable unbeaten streaks: Monica Seles’ 34‑0 start at the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal’s 31‑0 run at Roland Garros, and Novak’s own record in Beijing. These figures underscore the rarity of such dominance at a single venue, especially for a player approaching the age of 40. Looking ahead, the Serbian’s resilience and ability to adapt under pressure suggest that his quest for another Beijing title remains very much alive. Whether he can convert this momentum into a championship win against a formidable opponent like Medvedev will be a storyline to watch as the China Open progresses toward its climax.
The combination of experience, strategic ingenuity, and physical conditioning continues to make Novak Djokovic a compelling figure in modern tennis, defying age‑related expectations and inspiring both peers and the next generation of players.