Novak Djokovic came from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the semifinals of the China Open in Beijing.
Zverev made the better start, breaking Djokovic early and holding his serve to take the opening set 6-4. Djokovic responded in the second, saving a break point at 4-4 before breaking Zverev in the next game to level the match.
The deciding set was just as tight. Djokovic stayed with Zverev until 5-4, then found the opening he needed and broke the German to complete the comeback after two hours and 35 minutes.
During the match, Zverev complained during the second set that a courtside LED screen had changed while he was serving. He continued the point, but after missing a forehand, he raised the issue with the umpire. A review showed that the screen had changed during the serve, and the point was replayed.
Djokovic was not happy with the decision.
“He served, I played one shot, he played another, and then he challenged. Is that okay?”
Djokovic later called it “one of the most stupid changes of rules I’ve ever heard in my life.” Zverev explained that he was unsure whether he was allowed to stop play immediately because of the distraction.
But that incident did not affect Djokovic’s finish.
The win extended his perfect record at the China Open to 32-0, giving him the best undefeated start at a single ATP tournament in the Open Era. He moved past Rafael Nadal’s 31-0 start at Roland Garros.
After the match, Djokovic posted on X to celebrate his win:
“There’s something about this place.”
Djokovic has won the China Open six times and has still never lost a match at the tournament.
He will now face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals after Medvedev beat Francisco Cerundolo 7-6, 6-3.
