Djokovic defeats top seed Zverev to reach China Open semifinals

Novak Djokovic recovered from a slow start to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the China Open semifinals in Beijing. Playing the ATP 500 event for the first time since 2015, the six-time champion dropped the opening set but rallied to take the next two, securing late breaks at 5-4 in both the second and third sets. The match lasted two hours and 35 minutes. Zverev produced 19 aces and began strongly, exploiting Djokovic’s early double faults and cold conditions to claim the first set. The contest included a brief controversy when part of the electronic advertising boards went dark during a rally; after replays showed the signage had switched off, the chair umpire ordered the point to be replayed. Djokovic said he had a poor start and that he was trying to be more aggressive and vary his patterns, coming to the net at key moments. The victory came amid a season Djokovic has described as a significant physical struggle, yet it extended his unbeaten run at the China Open and kept alive his bid for a first title of the year and a seventh Beijing crown. In the other quarterfinal that sets up Djokovic’s next opponent, Daniil Medvedev beat Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the last four. The Beijing tournament has produced several notable results this week, including WTA withdrawals and upsets elsewhere in the Chinese swing of events.