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Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic after hitting a spectator with a ball, sending Djokovic into the final.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev (R) is escorted by an ATP official after Medvedev was disqualified for hitting a ball into the stands, injuring a spectator, during the men’s singles semi-final against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on October 5, 2026. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP)
Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic after a ball struck a spectator in the stands, sending the Serbian into the final on Monday.
The incident occurred with Djokovic serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3. Medvedev, having failed to return a point, struck a backhand towards the edge of the stands. The ball hit a man seated behind the Russian’s side of the court, with the spectator seen holding his face before being escorted from his seat.
The chair umpire subsequently stopped play and disqualified Medvedev. He apologised after the match, insisting the incident was accidental.
“Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all,” Medvedev said. “It was 100 percent an accident.”
Not the ending we expected 😮@DjokerNole advances to the Beijing final after Medvedev is defaulted whilst down 5-7 3-5
#ChinaOpen https://t.co/Pae5eNrJ6W
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 5, 2026
Djokovic admitted he had not seen exactly what happened but said he was certain Medvedev had not acted deliberately.
“I didn’t see what happened, to be honest,” Djokovic told the crowd. “I’m sure that Daniil didn’t… do it intentionally. It happened by accident.”
The dramatic ending came after a fiercely contested match in which Djokovic had been forced to work hard for his advantage. The 39-year-old saved 16 break points and produced several impressive defensive efforts, including dives from the baseline and bursts towards the net, as both players engaged in long rallies.
Djokovic, ranked 11th in the world, will face ninth-ranked Alex de Minaur in Tuesday’s final. The Australian reached the championship match after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semi-final because of an adductor injury.
In the women’s draw, former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek recovered from losing the opening set to defeat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2. Swiatek saved the Croatian’s opportunity to serve for the match before dominating the deciding tie-break and taking control in the third set. She will meet American teenager Iva Jovic in the last 16.
Home favourite Zheng Qinwen also survived another three-set battle, defeating Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-5. It was Zheng’s third three-set match of the tournament, following more than five hours on court in her opening two rounds. She next faces Alina Charaeva.
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova also progressed to the last 16, where she will play Ekaterina Alexandrova.
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Ask News18Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during his semi-final match against Novak Djokovic after striking a backhand toward the stands that accidentally hit a spectator in the face.
Ask News18October 05, 2026, 9:03 PM IST
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