Novak Djokovic rallied from an opening-set deficit to defeat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open quarter-finals on Sunday, October 4, 2026, preserving his unbeaten record at the Beijing tournament.
The Serbian sixth seed recovered after losing the first set and held his nerve through two tight closing sets to move into the final four at the ATP 500 event.
The match was played on the hard courts of the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center.
Djokovic’s official tournament schedule listed the quarter-final against top seed Zverev for Sunday, with the China Open running from September 30 to October 6.
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Novak Djokovic: Djokovic turns the match around
Zverev took the opening set 6-4, putting Djokovic under early pressure in a meeting between two of the leading names in the Beijing draw.
Djokovic responded in the second set, levelling the match 6-4 before carrying the momentum into the decider.
He completed the comeback by taking the third set 6-4.
The result was reported as a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory for Djokovic, who advanced at the expense of the German top seed.
The match also featured an early dispute involving a challenge and the chair umpire.
Djokovic was reported to have objected strongly to the decision after Zverev’s challenge during the opening stages.
Perfect record remains intact in Beijing
Djokovic returned to Beijing after an 11-year absence and entered the tournament with a remarkable history at the event.
He had won all six of his previous China Open appearances, collecting six titles before this year’s return.
His victory over Zverev extended that unbeaten run at the tournament to 32 matches, according to tournament-related records circulating after Sunday’s quarter-final.
That mark moved Djokovic beyond Rafael Nadal’s 31-match winning start at Roland Garros in the Open Era.
Djokovic had needed a comeback in the previous round as well.
He defeated Chinese wild card Bu Yunchaokete 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 on October 2 after dropping the first set.
That win kept his Beijing campaign alive and set up the quarter-final against Zverev.
Djokovic’s official website said before the match that the Serbian led their ATP meetings 9-5 and had won their most recent meeting at the 2025 French Open.
What the result means for Djokovic
The victory gives Djokovic another deep run during a season in which his Grand Slam results have been mixed and physical issues have affected parts of his schedule.
At the US Open in August, Djokovic lost to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the opening round after battling a back problem during the five-set match.
His official website described the injury as a factor that limited his performance in the closing stages.
Djokovic also returned to action in Beijing after a month-long break, making the tournament an important test of his form before the Asian swing continues.
At 39 years old, Djokovic remains one of the sport’s most accomplished players.
He has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles and is pursuing another strong finish to the 2026 season after falling short of a major title earlier in the year.
His Beijing run is also significant because it comes against a field that includes several of the leading players on the ATP Tour.
Zverev entered the tournament as the top seed after a season that included his first French Open title, while Djokovic was seeded sixth.
What comes next
Djokovic will face the winner of another China Open quarter-final in the semi-finals.
The tournament is scheduled to conclude on October 6 in Beijing before the ATP Tour moves to the Rolex Shanghai Masters, which begins October 7.
The semi-final will give Djokovic another opportunity to build match fitness and add ranking points during the final weeks of the regular season.
For Zverev, the defeat ends his Beijing singles campaign, although his 2026 season remains highlighted by his breakthrough Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros.
The German’s victory over Djokovic at the 2026 French Open had been one of the more notable meetings between the pair before Sunday’s rematch.
Djokovic’s comeback in Beijing means the veteran will continue his title defence of an unbeaten tournament record for at least one more round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Novak Djokovic beat in Beijing on October 4, 2026?
Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev in the China Open quarter-finals.
What was the score between Djokovic and Zverev?
Djokovic won 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Is Novak Djokovic unbeaten at the China Open?
Yes. The victory extended his perfect tournament record in Beijing.
When did Djokovic last play before the China Open?
His previous tournament was the 2026 US Open, where he lost to Mariano Navone in the first round.
What happens next for Djokovic?
He advances to the China Open semi-finals and will face the winner of another quarter-final.
Fact-Checked: Key match details, tournament dates and Djokovic’s Beijing record were checked against official ATP, China Open and Djokovic sources, with the result cross-checked against current match reporting.
Disclaimer: Tournament schedules and live draws can change, so readers should confirm Djokovic’s next opponent through the official China Open or ATP Tour pages.