DJOKOVIC COMES FROM SET DOWN TO BEAT ZVEREV IN BEIJING

Novak Djokovic came back from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in their China Open quarter-final in Beijing, reaching the semi-finals. Zverev broke Djokovic's serve early in the opening set and held to win it 6-4. Djokovic saved a break point at 4-4 in the second set before breaking Zverev's serve to level the match at one set apiece. The decider stayed on serve until 5-4, when Djokovic broke Zverev to complete the win after two hours and 35 minutes. Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals, after Medvedev beat Francisco Cerundolo 7-6, 6-3.

During the second set, Zverev said a courtside LED screen had changed while he was serving, and he raised the issue with the umpire after missing a forehand. A review found the screen had indeed changed during the serve, and the point was replayed. Djokovic objected to the decision, telling the umpire: "He served, I played one shot, he played another, and then he challenged. Is that okay?" He later described the rule as "one of the most stupid changes of rules I've ever heard in my life." Zverev said he had been unsure whether he was allowed to stop play immediately because of the distraction.

The result extended Djokovic's unbeaten run at the China Open to 32 matches, which tournament figures show is the best undefeated start at a single ATP event in the Open Era, surpassing Rafael Nadal's 31-0 start at the French Open. Djokovic has won the China Open six times and has never lost a match at the tournament. Following the win, he posted on social media platform X: "There's something about this place." He next plays Medvedev for a place in the final in Beijing.