Novak Djokovic Topples Alexander Zverev at China Open, Shatters Rafael Nadal’s All-Time Open Era Record
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Cementing his unmatched dominance on the hard courts of Beijing, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic pulled off an extraordinary three-set comeback on Monday, October 5, 2026, defeating reigning US Open champion Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling China Open quarterfinal clash. The hard-fought victory not only propelled the Serbian tennis icon into the tournament semifinals—where he is targeting an unprecedented seventh China Open crown—but also etched his name into tennis immortality. By claiming his 32nd consecutive match victory in Beijing, Djokovic officially surpassed Rafael Nadal's iconic 31-0 winning streak at the French Open (Roland Garros), claiming the sole record for the greatest undefeated start to any tour-level ATP tournament in the Open Era.
Overcoming an Early Setback: How Djokovic Mounted a Masterful Fightback Against Zverev
The blockbuster center-court encounter tested the Serbian maestro's tactical patience from the very opening game:
Stumble in the Opening Set: Djokovic suffered an uncharacteristic loss of serve in the very first game of the match, allowing Zverev to dictate rallies with heavy baseline firepower and take the opening set 6-4.
Finding the Rhythm: Reflecting on the initial pressure, Djokovic noted: "I lost my serve early on, and it was difficult to make a comeback in the first set. When he was serving for the set at 5-4, I had a few break points, but I couldn't take them. However, I started to feel my rhythm improving midway through the first set."
Clinical Turnaround: Adjusting his court positioning and tightening his unforced error count, Djokovic dialed up his patented return game to claim crucial breaks in both the second and deciding sets, closing out the contest 6-4, 6-4 to send the Beijing crowd into raptures.
Shattering Rafael Nadal’s Benchmark: 32 Consecutive Wins and Counting
The quarterfinal triumph redefines historical excellence across the ATP Tour:
Eclipsing the King of Clay: Rafael Nadal’s historic 31-0 start at Roland Garros stood for years as the benchmark for unyielding supremacy at a single tournament venue.
Unbeaten in the Chinese Capital: With his 32nd successive triumph at the National Tennis Center, Djokovic has never lost a main-draw match at the China Open, boasting a pristine 32-0 ledger.
Eyes on a 7th Beijing Trophy: As he moves into the penultimate stage of the tournament, Djokovic stands just two wins away from hoisting his seventh China Open title.
High-Voltage Semifinal Lineup: Daniil Medvedev Awaits, Hurkacz and De Minaur Advance
Djokovic’s victory sets the stage for high-octane clashes in the men's singles final four:
Blockbuster Semifinal vs. Daniil Medvedev: Djokovic will lock horns with former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in a blockbuster semifinal showdown between two master tacticians on hard courts.
Hubert Hurkacz Marches On: In earlier quarterfinal action, Polish powerhouse Hubert Hurkacz secured his semifinal berth with a commanding straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov, triumphing 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 behind a lethal serving display.
Alex de Minaur’s Gritty Rally: Hurkacz will square off in the opposite semifinal against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who staged a remarkable recovery after dropping the opening set to eliminate Andrey Rublev 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.
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