Novak Djokovic once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the all‑time greats of the sport when he edged past Alexander Zverev, the reigning French Open and US Open champion, in a three‑set battle (4‑6, 6‑4, 6‑4) to book his place in the semi‑finals of the Beijing China Open on Sunday. The 39‑year‑old Serbian not only secured the win but also cemented a new record for the most consecutive wins at a single ATP event in the Open Era, improving his unbeaten run in Beijing to an astonishing 32‑0. By achieving this milestone, Djokovic eclipsed Rafael Nadal’s previous benchmark of 31 straight victories at the French Open, thereby claiming the title of the player with the best start at any one tournament since the Open Era began.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy because it underscores Djokovic’s extraordinary consistency on a surface and in a setting that has historically favored his rivals. Djokovic’s connection with the China Open runs deep. He is a six‑time champion in Beijing, having captured his sixth title back in 2015 when he defeated Nadal in the final.
Prior to this year’s appearance, he had amassed a perfect 29‑0 record at the event. This return marked his first appearance in the capital since that 2015 triumph, and he quickly reminded the crowd why he is such a dominant force.
The match began with Djokovic admitting he had a rough start. "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 said in the post‑match interview. Zverev, who had been in excellent form all season, capitalised on those early jitters and secured the opening set 6‑4. The German’s powerful baseline game and aggressive serve put the Serbian on the back foot, and Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm in the first few games.
Despite the early deficit, the Serbian champion began to settle as the first set progressed. He managed to create a few break‑point opportunities when Zverev was serving for the set at 5‑4, although he was unable to convert them. Still, Djokovic sensed a shift in momentum midway through the set, noting, "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 almost 16 months, their previous encounter taking place at the 2023 French Open, where Djokovic emerged victorious in four sets. This reunion was highly anticipated, with many analysts predicting a tightly contested affair given both players’ contrasting styles—Zverev’s raw power versus Djokovic’s unrivalled defensive skills and tactical ingenuity.
The turning point arrived late in the second set. After a series of long rallies and several deuce games, Djokovic managed to break Zverev’s serve at 5‑4, leveling the match at one set apiece. The break not only equalised the score but also appeared to swing the psychological momentum in Djokovic’s favour. He rode that wave of confidence into the third set, where the contest remained razor‑thin.
At 5‑4 in the final set, Djokovic once again broke Zverev’s service game, securing the decisive break that ultimately clinched the match. In the aftermath, Djokovic reflected on the significance of the win.
"To be honest, these are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for," he 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 from both athletes.
She added, "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 triumph also placed him among a very exclusive club of players who have recorded a top‑three win after turning 39. Since the ATP began tracking records in 1973, only Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors have accomplished a similar feat, underscoring the rarity of such longevity at the highest level of the sport.
Looking ahead, the Serbian star’s next challenge will be a semi‑final showdown with Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who advanced after a straight‑sets win over Francisco Cerundolo (7‑6 (7‑4), 6‑3). A victory over Medvedev would not only bring Djokovic one step closer to a seventh China Open crown but also represent his first title of the 2024 season, a trophy that has thus far eluded him despite his impressive run.
Beyond the immediate implications for the tournament, the win has broader ramifications for the ATP rankings. By defeating Zverev, Djokovic denied the German a valuable opportunity to amass points that could have bolstered his bid for the world No.
1 spot. Zverev, who has been in a tight race for the top ranking, will now need to regroup and look for points elsewhere in the calendar. The match also highlighted Djokovic’s adaptability and strategic acumen.
After a series of grueling baseline exchanges, he introduced a variety of tactics—drop shots, occasional serve‑and‑volleys, and a willingness to mix up the pace—to disrupt Zverev’s rhythm. This willingness to evolve his game, even at an advanced stage of his career, is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. In summary, Novak Djokovic’s 4‑6, 6‑4, 6‑4 victory over Alexander Zverev at the China Open not only extended his unbeaten streak in Beijing to a historic 32‑0 but also reinforced his reputation as a player capable of thriving under pressure, adapting his tactics on the fly, and continuing to challenge for major titles well into his late thirties. The win sets the stage for an exciting semi‑final clash with Medvedev and adds another remarkable chapter to Djokovic’s already legendary career.