Djokovic reaches China Open final after Medvedev defaulted for hitting fan
In short
Novak Djokovic advanced to the China Open final in Beijing after Daniil Medvedev was defaulted in their semifinal for hitting a ball into the stands that struck a male spectator in the face. Djokovic led 7-5, 5-3 when the default ended the match. He faces Alex de Minaur in the final, where a win would give him his first tour title of the year and a seventh China Open crown.
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Novak Djokovic advanced to the China Open final in Beijing after Daniil Medvedev was defaulted in their semifinal on October 5, when a ball Medvedev hit into the stands struck a spectator. Djokovic had taken the first set 7-5 and led 5-3 in the second when the default ended the match, according to Yonhap. Newsis, citing AP, reported the same set score. [ 1 , 2 ]
Yonhap reported that a Djokovic forehand volley winner bounced off an advertising board toward Medvedev, whose backhand sent the ball into the front rows, hitting a man in the face. The man covered the eye area with his hand and was helped out of the stadium. Medvedev accepted the disqualification without protest, saying: “I am really sorry and I hope he is all right. I want to meet him and compensate him in some way. It was 100% an accident. I did not hit the ball out of anger. I was just trying to send it anywhere.” [ 1 ]
Yonhap listed Medvedev as ranked fifth, while a Newsis photo caption listed him as sixth. Djokovic, ranked 11th, said he felt for Medvedev, adding that he knows what it is like to be defaulted in a big match and that he is sure Medvedev did not do it on purpose. Yonhap noted Djokovic was himself defaulted in the 2020 US Open round of 16 when a ball he hit with his racket struck a line judge in the neck. [ 1 , 2 ]
The final is set for October 6 against Alex de Minaur, ranked ninth, who advanced when his semifinal opponent Hubert Hurkacz, ranked 34th, retired injured in the second set. Yonhap reported that a win would give Djokovic his seventh China Open title and his first tour title of the year. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The default decided a semifinal at an ATP 500 event in Beijing and handed Djokovic, who has been on a clear slide this year according to Yonhap, a chance at his first tour title of 2026. The incident also mirrors Djokovic's own disqualification at the 2020 US Open, a parallel both he and Yonhap raised.
Key facts
- Djokovic reached the China Open final after Medvedev was defaulted in their semifinal in Beijing on October 5. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Djokovic had won the first set 7-5 and led 5-3 in the second when Medvedev was defaulted. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Medvedev was defaulted after a ball he hit flew into the front rows and struck a male spectator in the face. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Medvedev accepted the disqualification without protest and said the incident was “100% an accident” and that he wanted to compensate the spectator. [ 1 ]
- Djokovic, ranked 11th, said he felt for Medvedev and was sure he had not done it on purpose. [ 1 ]
- Djokovic faces Alex de Minaur, ranked ninth, in the final. [ 1 ]
- A win would be Djokovic's seventh China Open title and his first tour title this year. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Djokovic advanced to the China Open final after Medvedev was defaulted in their semifinal in Beijing. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The default followed Medvedev hitting a ball into the stands that struck a male spectator. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Djokovic led by a set and 5-3 in the second when the default ended the match. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The semifinal took place on October 5 local time in Beijing. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Medvedev's world ranking is given as fifth by Yonhap and sixth in a Newsis photo caption. The two documents state different rankings for the same player.
- The condition of the spectator struck by the ball is not reported beyond him leaving the stadium assisted. Only Yonhap describes the injury, and it gives no update on his condition.
- The exact time during the match at which the default occurred is not stated. The documents give the set score but not a match clock time.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Djokovic beats Medvedev in the China Open semifinal in Beijing after Medvedev is defaulted with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Djokovic is scheduled to play Alex de Minaur in the final. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap publishes its report on Djokovic's advance to the final. [ 1 ]
- Newsis publishes AP photographs and captions from the semifinal. [ 2 ]