Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list<\/p>\n
Meeting for the first time in nearly 16 months, Djokovic struggled to contain the German\u2019s power in the early stages as the 29-year-old Zverev claimed the opening set, but the Serb gradually worked his way into the match and refused to let his opponent pull away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a terrible start \u2013 two double faults at the beginning. It was quite cold, and honestly, I didn\u2019t feel warmed up, but my fault,\u201d Djokovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI gave him an early break, and then it was hard to come back in the first set.\u201d<\/p>\n
The contest was briefly interrupted by a moment of controversy when Zverev argued that the electronic advertising signage had gone dark during a rally and requested a video review after losing the point.<\/p>\n
Replays showed a section of the signage had switched off although not as Zverev was missing the forehand. The chair umpire ordered the point to be replayed, prompting a frustrated exchange from Djokovic.<\/p>\n
![\"Germany\u0092s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AFP__20261004__D27R9KJ__v2__HighRes__TennisAtpChn-1791179546.jpg\")
Zverev had a strong start in the match before being outplayed by Djokovic [Pedro Pardo\/AFP]\u2018Held my nerves\u2019<\/p>\n
The turning point came late in the second set when Djokovic broke at 5-4 to level the match, shifting the momentum in his favour after a tightly contested battle.<\/p>\n
With little separating the pair in the third, the Serbian struck again at 5-4 on the Zverev serve, securing the decisive break to seal the victory in two hours and 35 minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was trying to be aggressive and come to the net and change up the pace, not giving the same pattern,\u201d Djokovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am just glad that I held my nerves, played good shots at important moments, 5-4 in the second and third.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pair had not met since Roland Garros in 2025, where Djokovic won in four sets, and Sunday\u2019s encounter again highlighted the Serb\u2019s ability to deliver under pressure despite a season disrupted by physical issues.<\/p>\n
With the victory, Djokovic moved a step closer to a seventh China Open title and an elusive first trophy of the year while denying Zverev another opportunity to strengthen his bid for the world number one ranking.<\/p>\n
Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals after the Russian defeated Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(4), 6-3 earlier.<\/p>\n
![\"Serbia's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/afp_6ac3353cd8c5-1791178044.jpg\")
Djokovic has been plagued by health issues that he has not disclosed, admitting that \u2018this year has been a big, big struggle for me\u2019 [AFP]Rybakina withdraws from Wuhan after China Open exit<\/p>\n
World number one Elena Rybakina withdrew from this month\u2019s Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, tournament organisers said on Sunday, a day after the Kazakh suffered a shock defeat<\/a> in her opening match at the China Open.<\/p>\n Rybakina, who lost to world number 118 Alina Charaeva in Beijing, said she would take time away from competition to recover.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very sorry to the fans who were looking forward to seeing me play,\u201d Rybakina said in a story posted on the tournament\u2019s Instagram account.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take some time to rest and recover. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.\u201d<\/p>\n The 27-year-old has been managing a lingering lower leg and foot problem that also forced her to retire from her Cincinnati quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek in August.<\/p>\n