In a dramatic turn at the China Open in Beijing, Novak Djokovic (39) secured his place in the tournament final after third‑seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for striking a ball into the crowd. The incident occurred when Medvedev, frustrated by a lost point, inadvertently hit a spectator in the head, prompting officials to end the match.
Match details and implications
Djokovic, who entered the event as the sixth seed, was leading 7‑5, 5‑3 when the default was called, improving his unbeaten record in Beijing to 33‑0. The Serbian champion will now face Australia’s Alex de Minaur, the fifth seed, in the final on Tuesday. Djokovic currently holds a 3‑1 career advantage over de Minaur.
De Minaur’s path to the final
De Minaur earned his spot after a hard‑fought semifinal against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who retired at 6‑4, 3‑2 due to injury. The Australian’s steady play throughout the tournament has positioned him as a serious contender for the title.
Other tournament highlights
In Tokyo, top‑seed Carlos Alcaraz captured the Japan Open title, defeating fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5‑7, 6‑3, 6‑1 after rallying from a 5‑3 deficit in the first set. Alcaraz’s comeback showcased his resilience and earned him another trophy on the ATP Tour.
Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka also impressed, posting a 6‑4, 6‑2 victory over Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in the other semifinal. Lehecka’s service was nearly flawless, delivering 10 aces and winning 91.7% of first‑serve points (22 of 24) and 87.5% of second‑serve points (14 of 16). He faced no break points during the match.
Looking ahead
The Beijing final promises a clash of styles: Djokovic’s experience and defensive mastery against de Minaur’s aggressive baseline play. Both players are eager to add another ATP title to their résumés, with Djokovic eyeing his 102nd career victory.
Fans can watch the final live on major sports networks and streaming platforms, with the tournament concluding later this week. The China Open continues to attract top talent, reinforcing its status as a key stop on the Asian swing of the ATP Tour.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
