BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 5: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning against Daniil Medvedev during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on day six of China Open at the National Tennis Center on October 5, 2026 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic advanced to the Beijing Open final after his opponent Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a fan with a ball during their semifinal on Monday.
The Serbian legend was serving at 7-5, 5-3, 15-all when Medvedev hit a ball toward the stands after it had ricocheted back to him behind the baseline. The ball appeared to hit a fan in the face, and the fan was then escorted out with the help of another fan.
Under standard ATP rules for a default or disqualification during a match, Medvedev will forfeit his ranking points and prize money earned at the event.
No. 6 Djokovic, 39, improved to a perfect 33-0 at the Beijing Open and will next face No. 5 Alex de Minaur in Tuesday’s final.
“A bit of a shock, to be honest,” Djokovic said. “Sorry for the person [who got hit]. I honestly didn’t see what happened. I hope that person is not badly injured. On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil, because I know exactly how he feels to be disqualified in a big match. I was disqualified at the 2020 U.S. Open in similar circumstances. I am sure that Daniil didn’t want to do this intentionally. It just happens.”
In 2020, Djokovic accidentally hit a linesperson with a ball behind the baseline and was DQ’d during his fourth-round match with Pablo Careno Busta.
Prior to the incident, Djokovic and Medvedev engaged in a concussive slugfest from the baseline.
Djokovic struggled to hold serve but saved 16-of-18 break chances on his serve while converting 4-of-10 break chances against Medvedev. He broke Medvedev for 3-2 in the first set after facing several break points on his own serve.
“I was three points away from the win,” Djokovic said. “It was a grueling battle and I definitely didn’t want to take this level to a third set. It was looking like that. I don’t know many break points I saved, it was crazy. It’s always a big battle with Daniil and it’s so hard to play him. When he’s feeling the ball well in slower conditions with a big serve, but we move on.”
De Minaur earlier advanced to his 10th ATP 500 final after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semifinal due to an adductor injury. Hurkacz later revealed he first felt the injury during his quarterfinal win against Karen Khachanov, and the Pole was visibly hampered when he retired with De Minaur leading 6-4, 3-2.
Djokovic, who is bidding to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, is 3-1 against de Minaur for his career.
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