Djokovic Breaks Nadal's Record in Beijing, Beats Zverev to Reach China Open Semis

Key points

• Djokovic won his 32nd consecutive match at the China Open, breaking Rafael Nadal's record of 31 wins at Roland Garros.
• The match lasted two hours and 34 minutes, with Djokovic overcoming a poor start that included two double faults.
• Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals, while Hubert Hurkacz plays Alex de Minaur in the other match.
• Alexander Zverev, the top seed, suffered a rare defeat that hampers his chances of finishing the year as world No. 1.
• In the women's draw, top seed Elena Rybakina and second seed Aryna Sabalenka were both eliminated early.

Background

Djokovic has faced significant fitness challenges in 2026, including a first-round exit at the US Open and medical treatment during his second-round match in Beijing. He has not won a title this year prior to this run. In the women's tournament, the absence of top seeds Rybakina and Sabalenka has reshaped the draw, with Rybakina withdrawing from the Wuhan Open due to a foot injury.

How outlets are covering it

BBC Sport and Sky Sports emphasized Djokovic's resilience and his ability to overcome a difficult start, noting his comments about 'grinding' through a tough year. The Guardian highlighted the controversial point replay involving an LED screen issue that Djokovic criticized. The ATP Tour focused on the historical significance of the 32-match unbeaten streak, comparing it to Nadal's record at Roland Garros. All sources agreed on the final score and the semi-final matchups.

Why it matters

This victory marks a significant milestone for Djokovic, who is seeking his first title of 2026 and a seventh China Open crown. It also sets up a high-profile semi-final against Medvedev. For Zverev, the loss is a setback in his pursuit of the year-end No. 1 ranking. The women's tournament has lost its top two seeds, increasing the unpredictability of the draw.

What to watch

Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in the China Open semi-finals on Monday. Hubert Hurkacz will play Alex de Minaur in the other semi-final. In the women's draw, Nikola Bartunkova will face Sinja Kraus in the round of 16.