“I’m trying to find a way to get physically and mentally into a state where I can step onto the court and be a worthy opponent,” said Novak Djokovic. The 24-time Grand Slam champion secured his 32nd victory at the China Open by defeating Alexander Zverev 4:6, 6:4, 6:4 in a quarterfinal match, according to tenisportal.cz. The win extends his undefeated record at the tournament to 32-0.
Novak Djokovic Overcomes Alexander Zverev in Beijing Quarterfinals
Entering the match as an underdog against the reigning two-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic dropped the first set. The 24-time Grand Slam champion rebounded in the second set, securing a break and leveling the match after 100 minutes of play. In the decisive third set, Djokovic sealed the victory after saving a break point in the third game.
With this result, Djokovic improved his 2026 head-to-head record against top-10 players to 4:2, having previously defeated Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. The victory ensures he continues to be undefeated in Beijing, a feat no other tennis player has achieved, according to OptaAce statistics cited by tenisportal.cz.
Djokovic Battles Persistent Physical Setbacks During Difficult Season
Despite the milestone win, Djokovic continues to manage persistent physical setbacks during what is likely the worst season of his career. Speaking at a press conference reported by sport.cz, the 39-year-old acknowledged that he has spent much of the year battling an unspecified health issue rather than standard fatigue or conditioning problems. “Most matches and tournaments I played this year have been a big struggle physically,” Djokovic told reporters, adding that dealing with physical limitations has required significant mental and emotional energy. He noted that these issues are not related to endurance or fitness, but to a medical condition for which he is still seeking a cause.
Earlier in the tournament, Djokovic required treatment from a physiotherapist for abdominal and arm issues during his opening-round victory over Portugal’s Nuno Borges (6:3, 7:6) and his win against local wildcard Yunchaokete Bu, as detailed by livesport.cz and vietnam.vn. Against Borges, he won his 30th match in Beijing in 1 hour and 50 minutes. In the match against 24-year-old Bu, which lasted 2 hours and 52 minutes, Djokovic was treated while lying on his back on the court for his right arm. He eventually won that match by converting 3 of 8 break points.
Semifinal Match Against Daniil Medvedev
Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in the Beijing semifinals, with less than 24 hours of rest before the matchup, according to tenisportal.cz. Medvedev advanced through the opposite side of the draw in the ATP 500 event. The second semifinal features Hubert Hurkacz playing against Alex de Minaur.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Beijing Tournament
What is Novak Djokovic’s career record at the China Open?
Djokovic holds a 32-0 record in Beijing, having won the tournament six times between 2009 and 2015 before returning to competition at the event in 2026, as reported by sportwin.cz. He has won 101 tournaments overall, trailing Jimmy Connors’ 109 and Roger Federer’s 103.
Who are the remaining semifinalists in Beijing?
Novak Djokovic faces Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals, while Hubert Hurkacz plays Alex de Minaur in the second semifinal match, according to tenisportal.cz.
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