Medvedev Defaulted From China Open Semifinal After Ball Strikes Fan, Djokovic Advances to Beijing Final at 33-0

Since Djokovic's quarterfinal win over Alexander Zverev on Sunday pushed him to 32-0 at the China Open, the 39-year-old Serb has added one more win to that streak, but not the way anyone expected.

Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from Monday's semifinal in Beijing after a ball he struck in frustration sailed into the crowd and hit a spectator in the front row. Djokovic was leading 7-5, 5-3 and serving at 15-15 when it happened, according to The Independent and Olympics.com.

What happened on court

After Djokovic won a point with a forehand volley winner, the ball deflected off the advertising boards back toward Medvedev. He smacked a backhand that flew into the stands and struck the fan, according to Sportsnet. The spectator was seen clutching his face and was helped out of the arena.

Accounts differ slightly on exactly where the ball landed. Sportsnet, The Independent and Olympics.com reported the fan was hit near the eye. The Sunday Guardian Live reported the ball struck the spectator in the head. Sky Sports reported tournament organizers said the fan was taken to a hospital, a detail not confirmed by the other outlets.

Chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani consulted with the tournament supervisor before defaulting Medvedev on the spot. Medvedev did not contest the ruling and walked to the net to shake hands with Djokovic, according to Tennis Now and Sportsnet. Under ATP rules for a default of this kind, Sky Sports reported Medvedev will forfeit all ranking points and prize money earned from the tournament.

Both players react

Medvedev apologized repeatedly afterward. "Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all. I'm trying to get in touch with him, if he wants it," he told reporters in Beijing, per Tennis Now. "It was 100% accident. You can see that I didn't hit the ball in anger. Actually I do a lot of bad things, but usually ball abuse is not my thing."

Djokovic, who was himself defaulted from the 2020 US Open after hitting a line judge with a ball, said he didn't see the incident happen. "I'm a bit shocked. Sorry for the person. I hope he is not injured," Djokovic told reporters, according to Olympics.com. "I feel sorry for Daniil as well because I know exactly what it feels to be DQ'd in a match for this."

Medvedev has a recent history of on-court outbursts. Sportsnet and The Independent both reported he was fined for smashing his racket seven times during a 6-0, 6-0 loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this year. The Independent also noted a £31,500 fine from last year's US Open after a meltdown when a photographer walked onto the court mid-point.

What it means for Djokovic

The default sends Djokovic into his seventh China Open final, extending his career record at the event to a perfect 33-0. He won the title in 2009, 2010, and every year from 2012 to 2015, and has not lost a match in Beijing since his first appearance.

Djokovic's 146th tour-level final ties Ivan Lendl for third-most finals among men in the Open Era, according to Tennis Now. Olympics.com reported Djokovic, at 39, is now the oldest singles finalist at ATP 500 level since that tournament category was introduced in 2009, surpassing Roger Federer's run to the Basel final at 38 in 2019.

This is Djokovic's first final since losing to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open in January, and comes on the heels of a first-round exit at the US Open and a ranking slide to No. 11, his first time outside the top 10 in eight years, according to Sportsnet. Djokovic saved 16 of 18 break points he faced against Medvedev before the match ended, per Sky Sports.

Waiting in Tuesday's final is ninth-ranked Alex de Minaur, who advanced when Hubert Hurkacz retired with an apparent injury while trailing 6-4, 3-2 in the other semifinal. Djokovic will be chasing his first title of 2026.

The spectator's condition has not been independently confirmed beyond Sky Sports' report that he was taken to a hospital. No statement from the ATP or China Open organizers detailing the fan's status or any further disciplinary review of Medvedev has been reported as of Monday.