Novak Djokovic has advanced to the final of the 2026 Beijing Open after his semifinal opponent, Daniil Medvedev, was disqualified for accidentally hitting a fan with a ball. The incident occurred on October 5, 2026, with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3, 15-all during a tense rally. Medvedev struck the ball towards the stands after a return, which then hit a spectator in the face and led to the fan being escorted out of the arena. ATP rules mandate disqualification under such circumstances, leading Medvedev to forfeit his ranking points and the $219,295 prize money earned at the event.

The dismissal marked a dramatic end to what had been a physically demanding match between the two top players. Djokovic, ranked No. 6 and aged 39, maintained a perfect 33-0 record at this tournament, demonstrating resilience by saving 16 of 18 break points and converting multiple opportunities to break Medvedev’s serve. The match had seen several close moments, including Djokovic breaking Medvedev for a 3-2 lead in the first set. Djokovic expressed sympathy for both the injured fan and Medvedev, recalling his own disqualification at the 2020 U.S. Open under comparable circumstances.

Djokovic will now face No. 5 seed Alex de Minaur in the Beijing final on October 6. De Minaur reached the final after his semifinal opponent, Hubert Hurkacz, retired due to an adductor injury that had been aggravated in an earlier round. Djokovic leads their head-to-head series 3-1 and is aiming to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. The winner of the final will earn $764,750, while the runner-up takes home $411,480.

This unexpected turn of events underscored the intensity and unpredictability of professional tennis. Both Djokovic and Medvedev are known for their competitive spirit, and Djokovic’s comments highlighted the emotional complexity of such disqualifications. Despite the incident, Djokovic remains focused on the title and the potential boost in ranking points and prize money this victory would secure as he furthers his quest for another notable championship.