Djokovic Beats Zverev to Reach China Open Semis as Sabalenka Exits in Beijing
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In brief
Novak Djokovic beat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the China Open quarterfinals on October 4, 2026, stretching his unbeaten run in Beijing to 32 matches, an Open Era record. On the women's side, second seed Aryna Sabalenka lost to Nikola Bartunkova 6-4, 6-3 in the third round, a day after world No. 1 Elena Rybakina was eliminated.
Novak Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the China Open in Beijing on October 4, 2026, according to the ATP Tour and Sky Sports. The win extended Djokovic's record at the tournament to 32 wins without a defeat, which both outlets describe as the best single-tournament winning streak of the Open Era, surpassing Rafael Nadal's 31 consecutive match wins at the French Open.
Djokovic extends unbeaten Beijing run to 32 matches
The quarterfinal lasted two hours and 35 minutes, according to ATP Tour. Zverev, the French Open and US Open champion this year per Sky Sports, served 19 aces and won the opening set, but Djokovic broke serve at key moments in the second and third sets to turn the match around, according to ATP Tour. Djokovic improved his head-to-head record against Zverev to 10-5, according to ATP Tour.
These are the kind of moments that I still play for, compete for. The motivation is big obviously when you are feeling good and competing at par with the best players in the world.
— Novak Djokovic, quoted by ATP Tour and Sky Sports
Djokovic now advances to face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals on Monday. A title in Beijing would be his first trophy of the 2026 season, Sky Sports noted.
Top two women's seeds eliminated early
On the women's side, second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka was knocked out in the third round by Czech player Nikola Bartunkova, who won 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes, according to WTA Tennis and Al Jazeera. Bartunkova, 20, is ranked 34th in the world and entered the tournament as the No. 26 seed. Al Jazeera reported that Sabalenka squandered several break-point chances and threw her racquet during the match.
WTA Tennis reported that Sabalenka has reached the Beijing quarterfinals three times in five appearances (2024, 2023, 2018) but has never advanced to the semifinals there, and has now lost six consecutive matches after dropping the opening set. Sabalenka's exit followed the second-round elimination of world No. 1 Elena Rybakina a day earlier, who lost to unseeded Russian player Alena Charaeva, Al Jazeera reported without giving the match score.
It is the biggest win of my career.
— Nikola Bartunkova, quoted by WTA Tennis
Results so far
Key China Open 2026 results (as of October 4-5)
Player
Round
Result
Novak Djokovic
Quarterfinal (men's)
Beat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Aryna Sabalenka
Third round (women's)
Lost to Nikola Bartunkova 4-6, 3-6
Elena Rybakina
Second round (women's)
Lost to Alena Charaeva
Nikola Bartunkova
Round of 16 (women's)
Set to face Sinja Kraus next
What's next in Beijing
Djokovic plays Medvedev in the men's semifinal on Monday, per ATP Tour. In the women's draw, Bartunkova moves on to face Austria's Sinja Kraus in the round of 16, a matchup in which she holds a 1-0 career record, WTA Tennis reported. Full later-round results, including semifinal and final outcomes, had not yet been published by the tournament at the time of the sources used for this report.
Questions
What was the score in the Djokovic vs. Zverev China Open quarterfinal?
Novak Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on October 4, 2026, according to ATP Tour and Sky Sports.
What record did Djokovic set in Beijing?
Djokovic extended his unbeaten run at the China Open to 32 wins and zero losses, the best single-tournament winning streak of the Open Era for men, surpassing Rafael Nadal's 31 consecutive wins at the French Open, per ATP Tour and Sky Sports.
Who beat Aryna Sabalenka at the China Open 2026?
Czech player Nikola Bartunkova, ranked 34th in the world, beat second-seeded Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 in the third round, according to WTA Tennis and Al Jazeera.
Did any other top women's player lose early?
Yes. World No. 1 Elena Rybakina was eliminated in the second round by unseeded Russian player Alena Charaeva, a day before Sabalenka's defeat, Al Jazeera reported.
Who does Djokovic play next?
Djokovic faces Daniil Medvedev in the men's semifinals on Monday, according to ATP Tour.
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