Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic carried Beijing’s final ATP 500 quarter-final into a deciding set, with the German’s early authority answered by the Serbian’s late break in the second. When the live coverage paused, Djokovic led 3-2 in the third, but the contest had not yet reached its conclusion.
In the championship
The match at the Capital Group Diamond was the last quarter-final on the Beijing schedule. Its winner was due to meet Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals after Medvedev’s straightforward victory over Francisco Cerundolo. The other semi-final paired Hubert Hurkacz, who eliminated Karen Khachanov, with Alex de Minaur, victorious over Andrey Rublev.
Zverev came into the occasion with more than a place in the last four at stake. With Jannik Sinner unable to defend his ranking position because of knee problems and absent from the Shanghai event, the German had an opening in the race for world number one. Winning both Beijing and the following Chinese Masters 1000 would put him in position to take top spot.
Djokovic, meanwhile, returned to a tournament in which he had never lost. His record in Beijing stood at 31 wins from 31 matches. The quarter-final was also the pair’s 15th meeting: Djokovic held a 9-5 advantage, having beaten Zverev in four sets at their most recent encounter at Roland Garros.
A match that kept changing hands
The start was pushed back by around ten minutes, with Egyptian official Adel Nour in the chair. Djokovic served first but opened badly, committing two double faults and surrendering an immediate break to Zverev.
- Zverev established a 2-0 lead after a disputed point in the second game. He complained that a light from the venue had affected him at 30-30; the point was replayed, and he eventually held.
- Djokovic settled through a love service game, but Zverev recovered from 0-30 down to hold for 3-1 and then remained ahead despite the Serbian finding greater rhythm.
- With Zverev serving at 5-4, Djokovic created two chances to recover the break. Zverev saved both and took the first set 6-4.
- Neither player gave much away early in the second set. Djokovic and Zverev traded strong holds, with the German producing aces and Djokovic responding with sharp touch and a diving defensive effort.
- At 5-4, Djokovic faced a break point but held on. He then broke Zverev in the next game to claim the set 6-4 and level the match.
- Djokovic opened the deciding set with another hold to love, but Zverev answered with three aces and a cross-court forehand to make it 1-1. Djokovic then saved a break point in a tense third game, while Zverev held to level again at 2-2.
At 3-2 in the decider, Djokovic had regained the advantage after a service game that included two points for Zverev. The Serbian had recovered from the first-set setback, but Zverev’s serve remained a central feature of a quarter-final still unresolved when the updates ended.
