# Djokovic stuns Zverev to reach China Open semis

> The 39-year-old Serbian beats the world number two in three sets, damaging Zverev's bid to finish the year ranked first.
- Title: Djokovic stuns Zverev to reach China Open semis · BBC Sport
- Summary: The 39-year-old Serbian beats the world number two in three sets, damaging Zverev's bid to finish the year ranked first. Novak Djokovic defeated top seed…
- Keywords: novak djokovic, alexander zverev, china open, tennis, semi-finals, sports, Djokovic, stuns, Zverev, reach, China, Open
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c8kge0d95dzno
- Published: 2026-10-04T14:47:14.642+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: novak djokovic, alexander zverev, china open, tennis, semi-finals, sports
## Djokovic beats Zverev in Beijing
Novak Djokovic, thirty-nine, defeated top seed Alexander Zverev four six, six four, six four at the China Open to reach the semi-finals on October fourth.
## Zverev's world number one hopes damaged
Djokovic's victory over the world number two German dented Zverev's quest to finish the year as the world's number one-ranked player.
## Djokovic fought back from a set down
The Serbian initially struggled with Zverev's power and lost the first set, but worked his way back to level the match in the second set and sealed victory in the third.
## Djokovic on playing for these moments
Djokovic said: "These are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for. The motivation is big when you are feeling good and competing at par with the best players in the world in front of fifteen thousand people."

> These are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for.
## Djokovic's difficult year continues
The victory extended Djokovic's unbeaten run in Beijing to thirty-two matches and gave him a first trophy of twenty twenty-six, a year he described as a struggle with form and fitness.

> It's been a struggle this year for different reasons.
## Djokovic faces Medvedev on Monday
Djokovic will play third seed Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals on Monday. Medvedev beat Francisco Cerundolo seven six, seven four, six three in his quarter-final.
## Key takeaway

Novak Djokovic defeated top seed Alexander Zverev four six, six four, six four at the China Open to reach the semi-finals and hurt the German's chances of ending the year as world number one.