Novak Djokovic beats Alexander Zverev in Beijing, surpasses Nadal with 32-0 China Open streak

Novak Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open 2026 quarter-finals in Beijing on October 4, 2026, coming from a set down to reach the semi-finals and break Rafael Nadal's run of consecutive wins at a single tournament.

Djokovic's victory extended his unbeaten China Open record to 32-0, making him the first man in the Open Era to win 32 matches at an event before suffering a defeat; Nadal had held the previous mark with 31 straight wins at Roland Garros before losing to Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009. The 39-year-old returned to Beijing for the first time since 2015, having captured the China Open title in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and entered the 2026 tournament with a 29-0 record from six prior appearances.

The top-seeded German began the quarter-final strongly, breaking early and taking the opening set 6-4. Djokovic faced a stern test against a player who had arrived in Beijing in excellent form and was required to elevate his game. As the match progressed Djokovic grew more effective in extended rallies and began to exploit lapses in Zverev's level.

The second set held on serve through nine games before Djokovic forced a decisive break in the 10th. With Zverev serving to stay in the set, Djokovic induced errors to claim the only break of the set and pull the match back to one set all. That break proved pivotal in shifting momentum toward Djokovic.

The third set followed a similar pattern, with both players trading holds until the closing stages. At 4-5 Zverev faltered while serving to remain in the match and Djokovic converted the break to close the set 6-4 and complete the comeback. Earlier in the tournament Djokovic had also rallied from a set down against Yunchaokete Bu in the round of 16, winning 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 to move to 31-0 and equal Nadal's previous record.

"There's something about this place... and he knows it @djokernole is into the #ChinaOpen semi-finals @ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/wSB2Np4SpP" — ATP Tour (@atptour) October 4, 2026

Djokovic will meet Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals after Medvedev, the third seed, defeated Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(4), 6-3 earlier on Sunday to secure his place in the last four.