Djokovic goes 32-0 in Beijing: Nadal's record falls and the semi-finals arrive — the racquets of the 2026 China Open

The China Open in Beijing (an ATP 500 running from September 30 to October 6 at the National Tennis Center) is heading into its final stretch with the biggest tennis story of the week: Novak Djokovic, at 39, is still undefeated in the Chinese capital and now owns the best start to a single tournament in Open Era history. His victim yesterday was the top seed and double Grand Slam champion of 2026, Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic d. Zverev: Nadal's record falls in Beijing

The Serb came from behind to beat the German 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes, with Zverev firing 19 aces, in their first meeting since Roland Garros 2025 — with the German having claimed Paris and New York since then. The match had its moment of controversy: an LED advertising board went dark during a rally, Zverev asked for a video review and the chair umpire ordered the point to be replayed, much to Djokovic's frustration.

"I had a terrible start. Two double faults at the beginning. It was quite cold and, honestly, I didn't feel warmed up, but my fault," the Serb admitted. "I am just glad that I held my nerves, played good shots at important moments, 5-4 in the second and third."

With the win, Djokovic moves to 32-0 in Beijing, passing Rafael Nadal (31-0 at Roland Garros) for the best start to a single event by a men's player in the Open Era. The historical table is completed by McEnroe (23-0 in Milan) and Wilander (23-0 in Barcelona). The Belgrade native is a six-time champion in the city, is playing there for the first time since 2015 — when he beat Nadal in the final for title number six — and is two wins away from a seventh... and from his first trophy of 2026. Along the way, he denied Zverev a golden chance to gain ground in the race for world No. 1.

The other quarters: Medvedev rolls on, Rublev and Khachanov out

• Daniil Medvedev (3) dismissed Francisco Cerúndolo 7-6(4), 6-3 and stretched his winning streak to seven matches, without dropping a set all tournament (he beat Carreño Busta 6-4 6-2 and Struff 6-4 6-3 in the earlier rounds).
• Alex de Minaur (5) came from behind to beat Andrey Rublev 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the direct clash of Nitto ATP Finals hopefuls.
• Hubert Hurkacz edged Karen Khachanov 7-6, 6-2: the Pole got the reward nobody wanted, because Khachanov was precisely the upset man of the first round — the one who knocked out second seed Auger-Aliassime on his debut.

Today's semi-finals and their racquets

Two semi-finals this Monday 5 on the main court (Capital Group Diamond):

• Not before 3:00 PM local (9:00 AM CET): De Minaur (5) vs Hurkacz.

• Not before 7:00 PM local (1:00 PM CET): Djokovic (6) vs Medvedev (3), a duel between two former No. 1s.

• Novak Djokovic — Head Speed MP 2026from 195,49 €: the Speed MP 2026 from his own line, 100 square inches, 315 grams, 16x19 string pattern and only 60 RA stiffness. Flexibility and a huge sweet spot: the recipe for his depth-and-direction tennis, unbeaten in Beijing since 2009.

• Daniil Medvedev — Tecnifibre TFight 305Sfrom 209,99 €: 98 square inches, 320 grams and a dense 18x19 pattern. The signature of his game: surgical control and flat rhythm, no wasted power.

• Hubert Hurkacz — Yonex VCORE 98 (8th gen)from 236,95 €: the eighth generation of Yonex's spin benchmark: 98 square inches, 321 grams and 16x19 with a redesigned aero beam. The frame that turns the Pole's serve into almost a free point.

• Alex de Minaur — Wilson Ultra Pro 99: the Australian plays with Wilson's Ultra Pro 99, a control frame that does not have a catalog page yet. And the man who fell at the last hurdle, Zverev, did so with his Head Gravity Tour Zverev 2026from 228,95 €: 19 aces were not enough against the Serbian wall.