Novak Djokovič advances to Beijing final after Daniil Medveděv disqualification
Novak Djokovič secured a spot in the China Open final on October 5, 2026, after his opponent, Daniil Medveděv, was disqualified for hitting a spectator with a ball. The incident occurred during the ninth game of the second set while Djokovič led 7:5, 5:3. Following a return of serve that went into the stands, the match was halted, and tournament officials ultimately disqualified the Russian player. Djokovič had reached this point roughly 24 hours after defeating Alexander Zverevem, a match that lasted nearly three hours.
Match details and the moment of disqualification
The match had been a high-intensity contest, with the first set lasting 79 minutes. Both players engaged in long rallies, with Djokovič saving multiple break points throughout the encounter. Djokovič later broke back to win the set 7-5. In the second set, Djokovič survived six break points in the third game and faced a break point on a second serve in the fifth game after exceeding the serve preparation time limit for a second time in the match. At the time of the incident, Djokovič had just leveled the game score to 15:15. After losing the point, Medveděv struck a ball in frustration that traveled into the crowd, striking a spectator in the eye.
The ball had rebounded from the back fence to Medveděv after Djokovič hit a winning volley. Following a consultation between chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani and the tournament supervisor, Medveděv was disqualified under ATP rules. The disqualification resulted in the forfeiture of all ranking points and prize money earned by Medveděv at the Beijing tournament.
Djokovič’s reaction to the incident
Djokovič, who previously faced a disqualification at the 2020 US Open for accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball, expressed sympathy for both the spectator and his opponent. “I’m a bit in shock,” Djokovič said in his post-match interview. “I’m sorry for the spectator, I hope he is not injured. I also feel sorry for Daniil, because I know very well what it is like to be disqualified for this.” He added that he was three points from victory and believed the incident was not intentional.
Medveděv also addressed the situation after the match, describing the incident as a “one hundred percent accident” and expressing his desire to apologize to the spectator personally. The 30-year-old Russian stated he hoped to contact the fan to see how he was feeling.
Records and upcoming final against Alex de Minaur
With this result, Djokovič extended his undefeated streak at the Beijing venue to 33 wins in 33 career matches. He is now one victory away from his seventh title at the China Open.
In the final, scheduled for Tuesday, Djokovič will face Alex de Minaur. Djokovič currently leads their head-to-head record 3:1. He previously defeated de Minaur at the 2023 Australian Open and at Wimbledon in 2024 and 2025.
Frequently asked questions about the Beijing semifinal
What are the consequences of a disqualification in an ATP tournament?
Under ATP rules, a player who is disqualified from a tournament forfeits all ranking points and prize money accumulated during that event.
How many career titles is Novak Djokovič seeking?
Djokovič is aiming for his 102nd career title. He enters the final in Beijing with a 33-0 record at the tournament, a streak he began in previous years. Now 39, this is his first return to Beijing since 2015.