Novak Djokovic reached the China Open final in Beijing on October 5 after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during their semifinal, bringing an extraordinary end to one of the most closely watched matches of the tournament.
Novak Djokovic is through to the China Open final after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from their semifinal in Beijing following an incident in which the Russian struck a spectator with a ball.
Djokovic was leading 7 5, 5 3 and serving for the match when Medvedev hit a ball into the stands after losing a point. The ball struck a spectator, who was subsequently seen holding his face and was escorted from the seating area. The chair umpire then stopped the match and disqualified Medvedev.
The unusual conclusion sent Djokovic into the China Open final, where he will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
The result also means Djokovic remains unbeaten at the Beijing tournament, extending his remarkable China Open record while moving one match away from another title.
What Happened Between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev?
The incident occurred late in the second set of a highly competitive semifinal.
Djokovic had already won the opening set 7 5 and moved to a 5 3 lead in the second. Medvedev failed to return a point and subsequently struck the ball toward the stands with his backhand.
The ball hit a spectator in the face.
The spectator was seen holding his face immediately after the impact and was taken away from the area by tournament personnel. The chair umpire then made the decision to disqualify Medvedev rather than allow the match to continue.
The disqualification ended the semifinal with Djokovic leading 7 5, 5 3.
Medvedev’s exit was particularly dramatic because the match had been one of the most anticipated encounters of the China Open.
The Russian had been competing against one of the most successful players in tennis history, while Djokovic was attempting to reach the China Open final for the seventh time.
Djokovic Advances to China Open Final
With Medvedev disqualified, Djokovic advanced to the China Open final without needing to complete the second set.
The Serbian will now face Alex de Minaur for the title.
De Minaur reached the final after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semifinal because of an adductor muscle injury. The Australian therefore secured his place in the championship match under circumstances that were also unusual, although very different from the Medvedev incident.
The final will give Djokovic another opportunity to claim his first title of the season.
It will also be another important moment in his late season campaign as he continues competing against the leading players on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic’s run in Beijing has already included a major victory over Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic Overcomes Alexander Zverev in Beijing
Before reaching the semifinal, Djokovic defeated top seed Alexander Zverev 4 6, 6 4, 6 4 in the China Open quarterfinals.
The match lasted two hours and 35 minutes and required Djokovic to recover after losing the opening set. Zverev produced 19 aces during the contest and initially controlled the match with his powerful serve and groundstrokes.
Djokovic eventually changed the momentum.
The Serbian broke Zverev at 5 4 in both the second and third sets, turning two closely contested sets into a straight path toward victory.
The comeback was particularly significant because Djokovic has dealt with physical problems during the season.
The victory also maintained his perfect record at the China Open.
Djokovic entered the tournament as a six time champion and had not lost a match in Beijing before his semifinal against Medvedev.
Djokovic’s China Open Record
The China Open has been one of Djokovic’s most successful ATP tournaments.
The Serbian has now reached the final on every occasion he has played the tournament in Beijing.
His latest run comes after returning to the event for the first time since 2015.
Djokovic’s victory over Zverev had already placed him one step away from another China Open final. The extraordinary conclusion to the Medvedev match then completed his route into the championship match.
According to tournament coverage, Djokovic’s China Open record now stands at 33 wins without a defeat.
That record makes his Beijing campaign one of the most remarkable tournament specific runs in modern men’s tennis.
Why Medvedev Was Disqualified
The Medvedev disqualification has become the central talking point surrounding the China Open semifinal.
The incident happened after Medvedev failed to return a point. He then hit the ball into the stands, where it struck a spectator.
Although the incident was described as accidental, the chair umpire ruled that the circumstances warranted disqualification.
Medvedev expressed concern about the spectator after the incident.
Djokovic also expressed sympathy for both Medvedev and the spectator following the match.
The situation immediately attracted international attention because disqualifications at this stage of a major ATP tournament are extremely unusual.
Instead of Djokovic completing the match and winning through conventional scoring, the semifinal ended through an official default.
Djokovic’s Reaction
Djokovic’s reaction focused on the unusual nature of the incident and concern for the spectator.
The Serbian has experienced a similar controversy during his own career.
At the 2020 US Open, Djokovic was disqualified from his fourth round match after accidentally striking a line judge with a ball.
That experience gave Djokovic a particularly direct understanding of the circumstances surrounding Medvedev’s exit from the China Open.
The Serbian’s own disqualification at the US Open remains one of the most famous incidents involving a player being removed from a Grand Slam tournament because of an accidental ball strike.
The difference in Beijing is that the incident occurred during a semifinal and immediately sent Djokovic into the tournament final.
Alex de Minaur Awaits Djokovic
Djokovic’s opponent in the China Open final will be Alex de Minaur.
The Australian reached the final after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semifinal because of an adductor injury.
The final therefore brings together one of the most accomplished players in tennis history and a younger Australian contender attempting to claim a major ATP title.
For Djokovic, the match represents an opportunity to add another China Open championship to his record.
For de Minaur, it is a chance to defeat one of the biggest names in the sport on one of the ATP Tour’s most important late season stages.
Djokovic Chasing First Title of the Season
The China Open final also carries significance for Djokovic’s 2026 season.
The Serbian is attempting to secure his first singles title of the year.
His run in Beijing has already required him to overcome a difficult quarterfinal against Zverev before the semifinal ended unexpectedly against Medvedev.
A victory against de Minaur would therefore give Djokovic another major title while extending his extraordinary record at the China Open.
It would also provide a significant boost as the ATP season enters its final stages.
Why the China Open Final Matters
The Beijing final comes at an important stage of the men’s tennis season.
Players are competing for titles, ranking points and momentum heading toward the final major events of the ATP calendar.
For Djokovic, the tournament provides an opportunity to demonstrate that he can still compete at the highest level against younger players.
His victory over Zverev showed his ability to recover from a difficult opening set and deliver decisive tennis at critical moments.
The semifinal against Medvedev was different.
Djokovic was already in control when the match ended, but the circumstances surrounding the disqualification mean he did not have to complete the match himself.
The final against de Minaur will therefore provide the clearest test of Djokovic’s current level in Beijing.
What Happens Next?
Djokovic will meet Alex de Minaur in the China Open final in Beijing.
The Serbian enters the final with a perfect record at the tournament and the opportunity to win another China Open title.
De Minaur will attempt to prevent Djokovic from extending that record while pursuing the championship himself.
The final will also be closely watched because of the unusual path Djokovic has taken to reach it.
A quarterfinal comeback against top seed Alexander Zverev was followed by a semifinal victory through Medvedev’s disqualification.
The tournament has therefore produced two very different kinds of drama for Djokovic.
One was decided through a long three set battle.
The other ended abruptly after an incident in the stands.
Djokovic vs Medvedev: China Open Semifinal at a Glance
Tournament: China Open 2026
Location: Beijing, China
Semifinal: Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev
Score at disqualification: Djokovic led 7 5, 5 3
Result: Djokovic advanced after Medvedev was disqualified
Incident: Medvedev hit a ball into the stands and a spectator was struck
Djokovic’s final opponent: Alex de Minaur
Final location: Beijing
The Bigger Picture in Men’s Tennis
The latest China Open developments highlight the unpredictable nature of professional tennis.
Djokovic remains one of the sport’s biggest competitive forces, but the tournament is also part of a changing ATP landscape in which established champions are increasingly competing against a younger generation.
The presence of players such as Zverev and de Minaur alongside Djokovic demonstrates the depth of the current men’s game.
The Beijing tournament has also produced one of the most unusual moments of the season through Medvedev’s disqualification.
For Djokovic, however, the focus now shifts entirely toward the final.
The Serbian has survived a difficult quarterfinal, advanced through an extraordinary semifinal and now stands one match away from another China Open championship.
Whether he can complete the campaign with the trophy will be decided against Alex de Minaur.
For now, Djokovic’s perfect Beijing record remains intact, while the unusual ending to his semifinal against Medvedev has become the defining story of the China Open.
Tamrah News Sports