Novak Djokovic reaches China Open quarterfinals and matches Nadal’s record

Novak Djokovic secured a spot in the China Open quarterfinals on October 2, 2026, after defeating Bu Yunchaokete. Despite dropping the first set, the Serbian tennis player recovered to win the match with scores of 7-6(2) in the second-set tie-break and 6-2 in the final set. This victory marks his 31st consecutive win at the China Open, effectively equaling the record held by Rafael Nadal, who achieved 31 undefeated matches at Roland Garros.

Throughout the match, Djokovic required a medical timeout to address persistent abdominal discomfort. This physical struggle is part of a series of health issues the athlete has reported recently, which have occasionally affected his performance on the court. During the post-match press conference, Djokovic confirmed he is dealing with an undisclosed health problem but declined to provide further details regarding the nature of his condition.

As the only player to have remained undefeated at the China Open throughout his six previous appearances, Djokovic is now aiming for a seventh title. To reach the semifinals, he must next compete against the winner of the match between Alexander Zverev and Juncheng Shang.