In a dramatic turn of events at the China Open in Beijing, Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from his semi‑final match after an errant shot struck a fan in the stands. The incident occurred while Medvedev was trailing Novak Djokovic 7-5, 5-3 and was just three points away from losing the encounter. As the Russian player attempted to return a ball that had ricocheted off the back wall following a winner from the Serbian champion, his backhand flew into the crowd and hit a spectator directly in the face, near the left eye.
The fan was immediately assisted by arena staff and later taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation. The default meant that Medvedev forfeited all ranking points and prize money he had earned up to that stage of the tournament.
Djokovic, who had been battling an incredible comeback of his own—saving 16 of the 18 break points he faced—was awarded the victory and moved one step closer to clinching his first title of the 2026 season. The Serbian star, now 39, has a storied history at the China Open, having captured the trophy six times between 2009 and 2015, though he had not competed there in recent years until this campaign. Medvedev, visibly shaken, issued a heartfelt apology after the match.
He said, "I am terribly sorry to the spectator. I am trying to get in touch with him to apologise in person. I hope he is okay – that is the most important thing for me right now.
It was a 100 percent accident; I did not hit the ball out of anger. The ball was bouncing back toward the court, and I just tried to get it away so it wouldn’t go out.
When I saw what happened, I felt horrible and I want to make it right if I can." Djokovic, who himself was defaulted at the 2020 US Open after a ball struck a line judge, expressed sympathy for the injured fan and for Medvedev. "It is a bit of a shock, to be honest," he said.
"I hope the person is not badly injured. I also feel sorry for Daniil because I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified in a big match.
I'm sure he didn’t intend this." The semi‑final victory set up a final showdown between Djokovic and Australian rising star Alex de Minaur. Djokovic, aiming for his 102nd career title, reflected on the grueling nature of the match against Medvedev, noting the difficulty of playing against a player with a powerful serve on slower courts. He added that the Beijing atmosphere seems to give him an extra boost, saying, "My draw wasn’t favourable, very tough matches from the beginning, but it makes the run to the final sweeter. Something about Beijing keeps me going." Beyond the men’s draw, the tournament featured a number of notable storylines.
In the women’s event, Britain’s Sonay Kartal saw her comeback on the WTA Tour end in the third round, losing 6-4, 6-1 to Alina Charaeva, who had earlier upset world No. 1 Elena Rybakina. Kartal’s appearance marked her first WTA tournament since March, after recovering from a stress fracture in her back. Rybakina, the reigning US Open champion, subsequently withdrew from the upcoming Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, stating she needed time to rest and recover.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek demonstrated her resilience by rallying from a set and 5-2 deficit to defeat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (7-0), 6-2, and Coco Gauff advanced comfortably past Xinran Sun 7-5, 6-1. On the ATP side, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz fought back from a set down to beat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 at the Japan Open, earning a place in the final against Jiri Lehecka. Alcaraz, who missed the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, had earlier reached the quarter‑finals of the US Open before falling to Ben Shelton in five sets.
A victory in Tokyo would give him his third title of the season after triumphs in Australia and Qatar, and his 27th career title overall. The incident involving Medvedev sparked a broader conversation about player safety and the responsibilities of athletes toward spectators.
While accidental ball strikes are relatively rare, the ATP and tournament officials have reiterated the importance of maintaining a safe distance between the court and the audience, especially in venues where balls can rebound unpredictably off walls or the net. In response to the default, the China Open’s organizing committee announced that the injured fan received immediate medical attention and that the player responsible would face the standard penalties for such conduct, which include loss of points and prize money, as well as a possible fine.
Medvedev’s team confirmed they would be in contact with the fan’s family to offer support and an apology. Looking ahead, Djokovic’s upcoming final against de Minaur promises to be a high‑stakes encounter, with the Serbian legend seeking to add another trophy to his extensive collection and the Australian hoping to claim his first major title in Beijing. Both players have spoken about the unique challenges of the Beijing climate, which can be hot and humid, affecting stamina and ball behavior. The tournament also highlighted the resilience of players coping with injuries and health issues.
Djokovic, who has struggled with a lingering medical condition that causes fatigue and occasional vomiting, especially in humid conditions, has nonetheless managed to climb back into the world’s top ten after a season that saw him compete in only eight events. Fans can watch the finals of both the ATP Japan Open and the ATP China Open live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available on NOW without a contract. The matches are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, offering tennis enthusiasts a chance to see two of the sport’s biggest names battle for prestigious titles in Asia.