Novak Djokovic produced a trademark comeback to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the China Open semifinals on Sunday, extending his unbeaten record in the tournament.

Playing the ATP 500 event in Beijing for the first time since 2015, the six-time champion was pushed to the limit by reigning French Open and US Open champion Zverev.

Meeting for the first time in nearly 16 months, Djokovic struggled to contain the German's power in the early stages as Zverev claimed the opening set, but the Serb gradually worked his way into the match and refused to let his opponent pull away.

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.

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 victory.

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.

In the women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka crashed out in the third round following a 6-4, 6-3 defeat by Czech Nikola Bartunkova, the latest setback in a frustrating season for the world number two.

Sabalenka was broken in the opening game and squandered five opportunities to break back in the sixth game of the first set, before going on to lose the match in an hour and 35 minutes.

"I focused on myself, to be calm. Aryna is great. She's a legend. She's a Grand Slam champion," Bartunkova, 20, said.

Four-times major winner Sabalenka has not lifted a trophy since completing the "Sunshine Double" with victories in Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year.

The Belarusian made it to the US Open final last month but was beaten by Elena Rybakina, ensuring she would finish the season without a Grand Slam win for the first time since 2022.

Rybakina replaced Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings after the US Open. (Reuters)



Edited by Edmond Fong