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Medvedev Defaulted as Djokovic Reaches Beijing Final in Bizarre Fashion

Novak Djokovic's remarkable return to Beijing continued Monday, but his China Open semifinal against Daniil Medvedev ended in circumstances neither player will want to remember.

Djokovic was leading 7-5, 5-3 and serving for the match when Medvedev, after losing a point, struck a rebounding ball into the stands. The ball hit a spectator in the front row near the eye, prompting officials to default Medvedev and abruptly end a match that had already lasted nearly two and a half hours. The spectator received assistance from stadium staff and left the seating area in visible discomfort.

The ending overshadowed what had been an intensely physical semifinal. Medvedev created repeated opportunities in a grinding opening set, while Djokovic survived several lengthy service games before taking it 7-5. By late in the second set, Medvedev's frustration was mounting and he had also required medical attention. Djokovic had moved within one game of victory when the match ended.

The circumstances carried an uncomfortable familiarity for Djokovic. He was defaulted from the 2020 US Open after accidentally striking a line judge with a ball, and immediately expressed sympathy for both the injured spectator and Medvedev.

“I was shocked, to be honest,” Djokovic said afterward, adding that he hoped the spectator was not seriously injured. “I also feel sorry for Daniil because I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified in a big match.”

The result sends Djokovic into his seventh China Open final and extends his extraordinary Beijing record to 33-0. The 39-year-old, playing the tournament for the first time since 2015, will face Alex de Minaur for the title as he attempts to win the China Open for a seventh time and capture his first tournament title of 2026.

Remarkably, the other Beijing semifinal didn't finish normally either. De Minaur led Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 3-2 when Hurkacz retired with an adductor injury, meaning neither China Open semifinal reached match point.

Across Asia, Carlos Alcaraz needed a comeback of his own in Tokyo. The World No. 2 recovered from a set down to defeat Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 and reach the Japan Open final. He will face Jiri Lehecka, who ended Valentin Vacherot's run 6-4, 6-2 in just 69 minutes.

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Showing 1-21 of 63 storiesPage 1 of 3
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