In a dramatic turn of events at the China Open in Beijing, Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from his semi‑final match after a stray ball struck a fan in the stands. The incident occurred while Medvedev was trailing Novak Djokovic 7‑5, 5‑3, just three points away from defeat. The Russian’s backhand, which had ricocheted off a side wall following a Djokovic winner, flew into the audience and hit a spectator near the left eye. The fan was promptly escorted out of the arena and later taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.
As a result of the default, Medvedev will forfeit all ranking points and prize money he had earned up to that stage of the tournament. The ATP’s disciplinary committee confirmed that the ball was not hit in anger, but the rules are clear: any ball that endangers a spectator results in immediate disqualification. Medvedev expressed deep remorse, stating, "I am terribly sorry to the spectator. I am trying to get in touch with him, and I hope to apologise in person.
I just 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 in anger. The ball was bouncing back, so I tried to hit it anywhere so it wouldn’t go out of the court.
When I saw the result, I felt horrible. I hope I can meet him and make up for it somehow." Djokovic, who was himself defaulted at the 2020 US Open after unintentionally striking a line judge with a ball, reacted with empathy. "It is a bit of a shock, to be honest. I am sorry for the person.
I hope he 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 want to do this intentionally," the Serbian champion said after the match. The incident added a surprising footnote to an already intense semi‑final.
Djokovic, now 39, has an immaculate record at the China Open, having won the title six times between 2009 and 2015. He has not played the event since his 2015 triumph, making his 2026 comeback especially noteworthy. In this match, Djokovic saved 16 of the 18 break points he faced, demonstrating his trademark resilience. He will now advance to the final, where he is set to meet Australian rising star Alex de Minaur, who earned his place after Hubert Hurkacz retired hurt while trailing 6‑4, 3‑2.
Djokovic reflected on the grueling nature of the semi‑final, noting, "It was a gruelling battle that I definitely didn’t want to take to a third set. It is always a big battle with Daniil, so hard to play him when he is feeling the ball in slower conditions with his big serve.
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." The Russian’s default also reignites discussion about his recent disciplinary history.
In 2025, Medvedev was fined more than £30,000 at the US Open after an outburst when a photographer entered the court during a match point against Benjamin Bonzi. Earlier that year at the Australian Open, he received a £54,000 penalty for smashing a net‑camera with his racket while trailing teenage American Learner Tien. In Monte‑Carlo 2026, he was seen smashing his racket repeatedly during a 6‑0, 6‑0 loss to Matteo Berrettini. These incidents have painted a picture of a talented but occasionally volatile competitor.
Beyond the men’s draw, the China Open featured several notable storylines. In the women’s event, British hopeful Sonay Kartal saw her comeback on the WTA Tour end in the third round with a 6‑4, 6‑1 defeat to Alina Charaeva, who had earlier eliminated world No. 1 Elena Rybakina. Kartal’s return was her first WTA appearance 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 fighting spirit by overturning a set and a 5‑2 deficit to beat Donna Vekic 4‑6, 7‑6 (7‑0), 6‑2, advancing to the fourth round.
Coco Gauff also progressed comfortably, dispatching Xinran Sun 7‑5, 6‑1. Across the Pacific, the Japan Open delivered its own drama. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz rallied from a set down to defeat compatriot Jaume Munar 5‑7, 6‑3, 6‑1, securing a place in the final against Jiri Lehecka.
Alcaraz, who has been hampered by a wrist injury that forced him to miss the French Open defence and Wimbledon, described his first‑set struggles: "I don’t know what happened in the first set. It seems that I’m struggling in every first set, but I’ve come back every time and I’m really happy about it." A victory in Tokyo would give Alcaraz his third title of the season—following wins at the Australian Open and Qatar Open—and the 27th of his career. The China Open semi‑final incident underscores the fine line between intense competition and player safety. While Medvedev’s default was an unfortunate accident, the ATP’s strict enforcement of spectator protection rules serves as a reminder that even the most skilled athletes must maintain control over their shots at all times.
As the tournament moves to its climax, fans will watch Djokovic seek his 102nd career title, while the broader tennis community reflects on the responsibilities that come with high‑stakes play.