Novak Djokovic in dramatic China Open conclusion as Daniil Medvedev defaulted for hitting fan

Monday, 05 October 2026 at 18:19

Novak Djokovic is into the final of the China Open in dramatic fashion. He has seen off Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 5-3 but he has done so through a default in a mirror image almost of his incident at the US Open all those years ago.

Djokovic was exceptional at times with an incredible opening set going the way of the Serbian 7-5. But the second, he was mere seconds away from winning it. He was 5-3 up and Medvedev hit a ball away and it smashed a spectator in the face in the stands.

Play was stopped as it became apparent that the fan had been hat as he was seen leaning forward clutching his face.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV DISQUALIFIED FOR HITTING A SPECTATOR WITH A BALL 🚨 NOVAK DJOKOVIC INTO THE BEIJING FINAL. https://t.co/pdkl3nTF3d
— Kalshi Tennis (@KalshiTen) October 5, 2026

Medvedev was spoken to by chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani and several minutes later was defaulted from the tournament. An epic game and an epic conclusion. He now faces Alex de Minaur who won by retirement earlier today and Djokovic was just as shocked about the decision.

"I'm a bit shocked. Sorry for the person. I hope he is not injured. I feel sorry for Daniil as well because I know exactly what it feels to be DQ in a match for this. I was DQ at the US Open 2020. I was 3 points away from the win, incredible battle today," said Djokovic.

Djokovic rallied from a break down to claim the opening set. He broke his opponent's serve twice in the second to move to the brink of victory. Having defeated Alexander Zverev in the Quarter-Finals in Beijing, Djokovic is now one win away from his 102nd tour level title. He would be one win away from Roger Federer who won 103 titles with Jimmy Connors the only man to have won more.

“I was three points away from the win," Djokovic added. "It was a gruelling battle and I definitely didn’t want a third set. It was looking like that. I don’t know how many break points I saved, it was crazy. It’s always a big battle with Daniil and it’s so hard to play him, when he’s feeling the ball well in slower conditions with a big serve. But we move on.”

De Minaur earlier advanced to his 10th ATP 500 final after Hurkacz retired from the semi-finals due to an adductor injury. Hurkacz later confirmed he felt the injury during his Quarter-FInal win against Karen Khachanov. He was severly hampered losing 6-4, 3-2.

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