Novak Djokovic rolled back the years in Beijing on Sunday, fighting past top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the China Open semi-finals and keep his remarkable unbeaten record at the tournament alive.
The 39-year-old Serbian, playing the ATP 500 event in Beijing for the first time since 2015, produced a trademark comeback against the reigning French Open and US Open champion to set up a blockbuster semi-final with Daniil Medvedev.
Comeback from a set down
Djokovic made a terrible start, double-faulting twice in the opening game to hand Zverev an early break. The German, who fired 19 aces through the match, took the first set, but Djokovic gradually worked his way into the contest and broke at 5-4 late in the second to level.
Little separated the pair in the decider until Djokovic struck again at 5-4 on Zverev's serve, sealing the match after two hours and 34 minutes. The victory extended his astonishing winning streak in Beijing to 32 matches and moved him a step closer to a seventh China Open title and, remarkably, his first trophy of 2026.
Still competing with the best
Djokovic called it one of his best matches of the year, telling reporters that battles like these were "evidence to me that I can still beat the best players in the world on the biggest stage." He said he had to play "high-risk tennis" and credited feeling physically good after a year disrupted by health issues.
The contest was briefly interrupted by controversy when Zverev complained that the stadium's LED advertising signage had flickered during a rally and asked for a video review. The chair umpire ordered the point to be replayed, drawing boos from the crowd.
The defeat also dented Zverev's bid to finish the year as world number one. Djokovic will face third seed Medvedev in the semi-final after the Russian defeated Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. In the other half, Poland's Hubert Hurkacz will play Australia's Alex de Minaur.
Sources:
Al Jazeera: Djokovic defeats top seed Zverev to reach China Open semifinals
Reuters: Djokovic rallies past Zverev to reach China Open semi-finals
The 39-year-old Serbian, playing the ATP 500 event in Beijing for the first time since 2015, produced a trademark comeback against the reigning French Open and US Open champion to set up a blockbuster semi-final with Daniil Medvedev.
Comeback from a set down
Djokovic made a terrible start, double-faulting twice in the opening game to hand Zverev an early break. The German, who fired 19 aces through the match, took the first set, but Djokovic gradually worked his way into the contest and broke at 5-4 late in the second to level.
Little separated the pair in the decider until Djokovic struck again at 5-4 on Zverev's serve, sealing the match after two hours and 34 minutes. The victory extended his astonishing winning streak in Beijing to 32 matches and moved him a step closer to a seventh China Open title and, remarkably, his first trophy of 2026.
Still competing with the best
Djokovic called it one of his best matches of the year, telling reporters that battles like these were "evidence to me that I can still beat the best players in the world on the biggest stage." He said he had to play "high-risk tennis" and credited feeling physically good after a year disrupted by health issues.
The contest was briefly interrupted by controversy when Zverev complained that the stadium's LED advertising signage had flickered during a rally and asked for a video review. The chair umpire ordered the point to be replayed, drawing boos from the crowd.
The defeat also dented Zverev's bid to finish the year as world number one. Djokovic will face third seed Medvedev in the semi-final after the Russian defeated Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. In the other half, Poland's Hubert Hurkacz will play Australia's Alex de Minaur.
Sources:
Al Jazeera: Djokovic defeats top seed Zverev to reach China Open semifinals
Reuters: Djokovic rallies past Zverev to reach China Open semi-finals
