Novak Djokovic advanced to the China Open final after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during their semifinal match in Beijing when a ball struck a spectator in the stands.
Semifinal Drama Cut Short in Beijing
The semifinal clash between Djokovic and Medvedev reached an abrupt conclusion in the ninth game of the second set. With Djokovic serving at 15-15, Medvedev lost a baseline exchange and struck a loose ball in frustration. The ball flew into the front row of the stands, striking a spectator directly in the face and eye area. Tournament referee Mohamed Lahyani conferred with the supervisor and disqualified Medvedev under tennis regulations prohibiting the abuse of balls and striking of spectators. The Russian player accepted the decision without protest and shook hands with Djokovic before leaving the court.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Medvedev expressed deep regret for the incident. V první řadě je mi toho diváka hrozně líto.
Byla to stoprocentně nešťastná náhoda,
Medvedev stated, adding that he hoped to contact the spectator to apologize in person.
Parallels to Prior Disqualification Incidents
The abrupt finish drew immediate comparisons to Djokovic’s own high-profile disqualification at the 2020 US Open, where he inadvertently struck a lineswoman with a ball hit toward the back of the court during a match against Pablo Carreño Busta. Addressing reporters in Beijing, Djokovic voiced empathy for his long-time rival. Jsem trochu v šoku.
Je mi líto toho diváka, snad není zraněný.
Djokovic noted that he was only three points away from winning the match on merit when the default occurred.
The encounter itself was a physical battle featuring extended rallies. The opening set alone stretched across 79 minutes, with Djokovic saving multiple break points before securing a 7–5 win. Both players traded breaks in the second set before Djokovic gained the upper hand at 5–3. Prior to the default, Medvedev had struggled to capitalize on break opportunities, converting only 2 of 18 break points across the match, according to tournament tracking.
Djokovic Faces De Minaur in Beijing Final
The 39-year-old Serb advanced to his first tour-level final since winning the Australian Open in January, putting him one win away from his seventh title in Beijing and the 102nd singles title of his professional career.
Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur in the Tuesday final. De Minaur advanced to the championship match after Hubert Hurkacz retired due to an apparent thigh injury while trailing 6–4, 3–2. In their head-to-head history, Djokovic holds a 3–1 advantage over the Australian, having defeated him at the Australian Open in 2023 and at Wimbledon in 2024 and 2025, with De Minaur’s sole win coming at the United Cup in early 2024.
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