In a dramatic turn of events at the China Open semi‑final in Beijing, Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from the match after an errant ball struck a fan in the stands. The incident occurred while Novak Djokovic was closing in on a flawless 33‑0 record at the tournament and was just one victory away from securing his first title of the 2026 season. Medvedev, who was trailing 7‑5, 5‑3 and three points from defeat, inadvertently hit a backhand that ricocheted off the side wall and flew into the crowd, making contact with a spectator near the left eye. The ball, which had been a routine return after a Djokovic winner, went out of play and struck the fan, prompting immediate medical attention.
Tournament officials escorted the injured spectator out of the arena, and later confirmed that he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. As a result of the default, Medvedev forfeited all ranking points and prize money he had earned up to that stage of the competition. In the aftermath, the Russian star expressed deep remorse, saying, "I am terribly sorry to the spectator. I’m trying to get in touch with him, and if he wants to meet, I would like to apologize in person.
I hope he is okay – that is the most important thing for me right now. It was a 100 percent accident; you can see I didn’t hit the ball out of anger.
I do many things that get me in trouble, but ball abuse is not something I normally do." The incident reminded fans of previous on‑court outbursts involving top players. In 2026 at the Monte‑Carlo Masters, Medvedev smashed his racket multiple times during a 6‑0, 6‑0 loss to Matteo Berrettini. The following year, at the US Open, he was fined more than £30,000 after becoming enraged when a photographer stepped onto the court during a match point against Benjamin Bonzi. Earlier in 2025, at the Australian Open, he incurred a £54,000 penalty for breaking a net‑mounted camera with his racket while being beaten by teenage American prodigy Learner Tien.
When asked about the Beijing incident, Medvedev added, "The ball was bouncing back, so I tried to hit it anywhere to keep it in play. When I saw what happened, I felt horrible. I hope I can meet the fan and make amends somehow." Djokovic, who himself was defaulted at the 2020 US Open after hitting a line judge with a ball, commented on the situation: "It’s a bit of a shock, to be honest. I’m sorry for the person involved and hope he isn’t badly injured.
I also feel for Daniil because I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified in a big match. I’m sure he didn’t intend to do this." The Serbian champion, 39, has a storied history at the China Open, having won the event six times between 2009 and 2015. He had not played the tournament in recent years, making his 2026 comeback all the more noteworthy.
After a hard‑fought quarter‑final victory over world No. 2 Alexander Zverev on Sunday, Djokovic advanced to the final where he will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur. A win would give Djokovic his 102nd career title and his first since the Hellenic Championship less than a year ago.
Djokovic’s recent form has been a roller‑coaster. He reached the Australian Open final in January, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in four sets, and has struggled with fitness and a lingering medical condition that causes fatigue and vomiting, especially in hot, humid conditions.
Nevertheless, his run in Beijing has lifted him back into the world’s top ten after a period of decline. The semi‑final against Medvedev lasted just under two and a half hours. Djokovic survived a break‑down in the first set, recovered to take it, and then broke Medvedev twice in the second set, serving for the match before the default occurred.
He described the contest as "gruelling" and said he did not want it to go to a third set. "Playing Daniil is always a big battle, especially when the conditions slow the ball down and he can use his big serve. I always believe in myself and felt I was training well, but an official match is a different beast.
My draw has been tough from the start, which makes reaching the final even sweeter. Something about Beijing keeps me going." In the other semi‑final, Alex de Minaur was leading Hubert Hurkacz 6‑4, 3‑2 when Hurkacz retired due to injury, handing de Minaur a place in the final.
The women’s draw also saw notable moments. Britain’s Sonay Kartal, making her WTA Tour comeback after a stress fracture in her back, fell in the third round to Alina Charaeva, who had earlier upset world No. 1 Elena Rybakina.
Kartal had previously defeated Andrea Lazaro Garcia and Wang Xinyu before her exit. Poland’s Iga Swiatek rallied from a set and 5‑2 deficit to beat Donna Vekic 4‑6, 7‑6 (7‑0), 6‑2 and advance to the fourth round. American star Coco Gauff also progressed, dispatching Xinran Sun 7‑5, 6‑1. At the Japan Open, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a set down to defeat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5‑7, 6‑3, 6‑1, earning his first final appearance since the Monte‑Carlo Masters in April.
Alcaraz explained, "I don’t know what happened in the first set. It seems I struggle early, but I always come back, and I’m happy with that." Alcaraz’s season has been hampered by a wrist injury that forced him to miss his French Open defence and Wimbledon. He returned for the US Open, reaching the quarter‑finals before losing in five sets to American Ben Shelton. Should Alcaraj capture the Japan Open title for a second consecutive year—he won the 2025 edition by beating Taylor Fritz—it would mark his third title of the season after triumphs at the Australian Open and Qatar Open, bringing his career tally to 27.
Fans can watch the ATP Japan Open and ATP China Open finals live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports Main Event starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, with streaming options available via NOW without a contract.