Djokovic Rallies Past Zverev to Reach China Open Semifinals, Keeps Unbeaten Beijing Record Intact

Novak Djokovic produced a vintage comeback on Sunday, recovering from a slow start to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and book his place in the China Open semifinals. The victory extended the Serbian veteran's perfect record at the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing, where he remains unbeaten across his career appearances.

The quarterfinal clash at the National Tennis Center marked the first meeting between the two rivals in nearly 16 months, since their encounter at Roland Garros in 2025. Djokovic won that French Open match in four sets, and Sunday's contest followed a similar pattern, with the Serb absorbing early pressure before asserting control in the decisive moments.

Zverev, the 29-year-old German who entered the draw as the tournament's top seed, looked the sharper player in the opening exchanges. His heavy hitting from the baseline repeatedly pushed Djokovic behind the court, and the Serbian struggled to find rhythm on serve. Djokovic later admitted he had made life difficult for himself from the very first game.

"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 said after the match. "I gave him an early break, and then it was hard to come back in the first set."

The opening set slipped away at 4-6, but Djokovic's resistance grew as the match wore on. The contest was briefly interrupted by a controversial moment when Zverev argued that electronic advertising signage had gone dark during a rally. The German requested a video review after losing the point, and replays confirmed that a section of the signage had indeed switched off, though not at the moment Zverev missed his forehand. The chair umpire ordered the point replayed, a decision that drew a frustrated response from Djokovic.

Despite the interruption, Djokovic steadied himself and began to shift the momentum. The turning point arrived late in the second set, when he broke Zverev's serve at 5-4 to level the match at one set apiece. That break proved decisive in the context of a tightly contested battle, and it visibly altered the trajectory of the encounter.

With neither player able to gain a significant advantage in the third set, Djokovic struck again at 5-4 on the Zverev serve, converting the decisive break to seal victory after two hours and 35 minutes. It was a trademark display of clutch tennis from a player who has built a career on delivering when it matters most.

"I was trying to be aggressive and come to the net and change up the pace, not giving the same pattern," Djokovic explained. "I am just glad that I held my nerves, played good shots at important moments, 5-4 in the second and third."

The win moved Djokovic a step closer to a seventh China Open title, a remarkable achievement at an event he is playing for the first time since 2015. It also kept alive his pursuit of a first trophy of the season, a drought that has been extended by a series of physical problems the Serbian has largely declined to discuss in detail.

Djokovic acknowledged that the campaign has been one of the most challenging of his career. "This year has been a big, big struggle for me," he said, referring to undisclosed health issues that have disrupted his schedule and form. Sunday's performance, however, offered evidence that his competitive instincts and shot-making remain intact even when his body is not operating at full capacity.

The defeat was a significant setback for Zverev, who had hoped to strengthen his bid for the world number one ranking. The German came into the tournament as the top seed and had looked impressive in the early rounds, but he was unable to close out the match against an opponent who refused to yield. The loss denies him valuable ranking points at a crucial stage of the season.

Djokovic will now face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. The Russian advanced earlier in the day by defeating Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(4), 6-3, setting up a marquee matchup between two of the sport's most experienced and tactically astute competitors. Medvedev's straight-sets victory was built on solid serving and his characteristic defensive resilience, qualities that will test Djokovic's ability to sustain the aggressive approach that served him well against Zverev.

The semifinal promises to be a compelling contest. Djokovic and Medvedev have shared a lengthy rivalry over the years, and their meetings have often been decided by fine margins. Both players understand the importance of the Beijing event as a platform for building momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

In other news from the tournament, world number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Wuhan Open due to a foot injury. Tournament organisers confirmed the decision on Sunday, just a day after the Kazakh suffered a shock defeat in her opening match at the China Open. Rybakina, who lost to world number 118 Alina Charaeva, said she would take time away from competition to recover.

"I'm very sorry to the fans who were looking forward to seeing me play," Rybakina said in a statement posted on the tournament's Instagram account. "I'll take some time to rest and recover. Thank you for your understanding and continued support."

The 27-year-old has been managing a lingering lower leg and foot problem that also forced her to retire from her Cincinnati quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek in August. Despite that setback, Rybakina recovered in time for the US Open, where she claimed her third Grand Slam title, rose to world number one, and became the first player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals.

Rybakina is next expected to compete at the Ningbo Open in China, where she will attempt to defend her title. The Wuhan Open is scheduled to run from October 12 to 18, and her absence leaves a significant gap in the draw as the tour transitions to its final events of the year.

For Djokovic, the focus remains squarely on the task at hand in Beijing. A seventh title at the China Open would represent a remarkable achievement given his limited appearances at the event and the physical challenges he has faced this season. More immediately, he must navigate a difficult semifinal against Medvedev, a player known for his ability to extend rallies and frustrate opponents. If Djokovic can replicate the composure he showed at 5-4 in both the second and third sets against Zverev, he will give himself every chance of reaching another final and edging closer to ending his title drought.