China Open: Djokovic reaches Beijing final after Medvedev defaulted
Synopsis
Daniil Medvedev's accidental default — striking a ball into the crowd and hitting a fan — handed Novak Djokovic a semifinal exit and a place in Tuesday's China Open final. One win over Alex de Minaur stands between Djokovic and his 102nd title, moving him to within one of Roger Federer's all-time record of 103 crowns.
Key Takeaways
Novak Djokovic reached the China Open final in Beijing after Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a ball into the crowd that struck a spectator.
Djokovic was serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3, 15/15 when the incident occurred after 2 hours 29 minutes of play.
Djokovic saved 16 of 18 break points during the semifinal, according to Infosys ATP Stats .
His Beijing record stands at a perfect 33-0 ; this is his first ATP 500 final since Astana 2022 .
A win over Alex de Minaur on Tuesday would give Djokovic his 102nd tour-level title — one short of Roger Federer's record of 103 .
Djokovic leads De Minaur 3-1 in their career head-to-head.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the China Open final in Beijing on 5 October 2026 after opponent Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from their semifinal clash — a dramatic end to a contest that had lasted two hours and 29 minutes before the incident brought it to an abrupt halt. Djokovic had been serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3, 15/15 when a ball rebounded off the back wall and Medvedev instinctively struck it into the crowd, hitting a spectator.
How the Default Unfolded
With Djokovic on the cusp of closing out the match, the stray ball struck by Medvedev made contact with a fan in the stands, triggering the default ruling by the chair umpire. The incident was reminiscent of Djokovic's own default at the 2020 US Open, when he inadvertently hit a line judge with a ball in similar circumstances.
'A bit of a shock, to be honest,' Djokovic said. 'Sorry for the person [who got hit]. I honestly didn't see what happened. I hope that person is not badly injured. On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil, because I know exactly how he feels to be disqualified in a big match. I was disqualified at the 2020 US Open in similar circumstances. I am sure that Daniil didn't want to do this intentionally. It just happens.'
A Gruelling Semifinal Before the Drama
Medvedev had arrived at the semifinal brimming with confidence, having won the Hangzhou title the previous week — his seventh consecutive tour-level win heading into the clash. Djokovic rallied from a break down to claim the opening set and broke his opponent's serve twice in the second to move to the verge of victory before the default intervened.
What made the Serbian's performance especially striking was his resilience on serve. According to Infosys ATP Stats, the 39-year-old saved 16 of 18 break points he faced — a near-miraculous conversion rate across a match that regularly threatened to slip away. 'I was three points away from the win,' Djokovic said. 'It was a gruelling battle, and I definitely didn't want [a] third set. 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.'
The Road to Another Final
Djokovic's passage to the final also included a quarterfinal win over top seed Alexander Zverev, a run he described as a tough draw from the outset. His record in Beijing now stands at a flawless 33-0 across all editions of the China Open. 'My draw wasn't very favourable, to be honest — tough matches from the beginning, but it makes the run to the final sweeter. I'm in another final. There's something about Beijing that keeps me going,' he said.
This marks Djokovic's first ATP 500 championship match since his Astana title in 2022 and his 146th tour-level final overall.
One Win from History
A victory on Tuesday would hand Djokovic his 102nd tour-level title, moving him to within one of Roger Federer's all-time mark of 103 crowns. Only Jimmy Connors, with 109 titles, has won more than either man. Standing in his way is Alex de Minaur, the fifth-seeded Australian, over whom Djokovic holds a 3-1 lead in their Lexus ATP head-to-head series.
With history in sight and Beijing's faultless record behind him, Djokovic will be the heavy favourite when he steps out for Tuesday's final.
Point of View
A milestone that will likely dominate tennis headlines for the rest of 2026. De Minaur is dangerous on fast courts, but Djokovic's 33-0 Beijing record and the weight of that number suggest the Serbian will approach Tuesday's match with unusual levels of focus. The incident also renews a long-standing debate about default rules in professional tennis — whether instantaneous, instinctive reactions should carry the same penalty as deliberate misconduct.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Daniil Medvedev defaulted at the China Open?
Medvedev was defaulted after instinctively striking a ball that had bounced off the back wall, sending it into the crowd where it hit a spectator. The incident occurred during the semifinal against Novak Djokovic, with Djokovic serving at 7-5, 5-3, 15/15.
Who will Novak Djokovic face in the China Open final?
Djokovic will face fifth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur in Tuesday's final in Beijing. Djokovic leads their career head-to-head 3-1 on the Lexus ATP series.
What record is Novak Djokovic chasing at the China Open?
A victory in the final would give Djokovic his 102nd tour-level title, placing him one behind Roger Federer's record of 103 crowns. Only Jimmy Connors, with 109 titles, has won more than either player.
What is Novak Djokovic's record in Beijing?
Djokovic now holds a perfect 33-0 record at the China Open in Beijing across all his appearances at the tournament, making it one of the most dominant venue records in men's professional tennis.
Has Djokovic experienced a similar default before?
Yes. Djokovic himself was defaulted at the 2020 US Open after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball in comparable circumstances. He acknowledged the parallel in his post-match remarks, expressing sympathy for Medvedev.
