Daniil Medvedev Defaulted at China Open After Ball Strikes Fan
Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during his semifinal match at the China Open in Beijing after hitting a ball in frustration that struck a spectator near the eye in the front row of the stands. The incident brought an abrupt end to the tournament match on October 5, 2026, sending Novak Djokovic through to the final.
How the Semifinal Match Unraveled in Beijing
Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, held a 7-5, 5-3 lead over Medvedev when the controversy unfolded on the court. Following a completed point in the second set, the ball rebounded toward Medvedev, who reacted to his frustration by striking it forcefully toward the spectators behind the court. The ball hit a fan in the front row near the eye, prompting immediate medical attention and the spectator’s departure from the stands with a hand over the injury, according to the source.
According to a tweet from BioscaApuesta đź‘‘ TEAM, Medvedev was disqualified after hitting a spectator who left the court injured.
Match Officials Intervene and Djokovic Reacts
Tournament officials assessed the situation on the court following the incident and made the decision to default Medvedev, handing Djokovic the victory. Speaking after the match, Djokovic described the moment as deeply shocking and stated he hoped the injured spectator did not sustain a serious injury. Djokovic also expressed sympathy for his opponent, noting his belief that Medvedev did not act with deliberate intent.
Chasing a Seventh Title in the Final
The default victory advanced Djokovic to the China Open final and improved his record in Beijing to 33-0. Historical tournament data shows that Djokovic won the title in all six of his campaigns between 2009 and 2015 during his previous dominant stretch at the event. Returning to the tournament after a lengthy absence, Djokovic advanced to face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the final on Tuesday, where he will compete for his seventh China Open title, his first trophy of 2026, and the 102nd ATP singles title of his career.
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