Djokovic reaches China Open final as Medvedev defaults for hitting spectator

Novak Djokovic extended his unbeaten streak at the China Open to 33 matches and advanced to the men's singles final on Monday after third-seeded Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for accidentally striking a spectator with a ball. The incident occurred when Djokovic was leading 7–5, 5–3 in their semifinal. Medvedev, attempting to hit a ball after a failed shot, struck a spectator in the head. Both players acknowledged the accident immediately. "It happened by accident. I am sorry for Daniil and for the audience," Djokovic said after the match, noting a similar incident had occurred to him six years earlier at the US Open. Medvedev stated the ball was not hit in anger and expressed remorse, saying he was trying to contact the spectator to apologize in person.

Djokovic, 39, will face fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur of Australia in Tuesday's final. De Minaur advanced when Poland's Hubert Hurkacz retired with an adductor injury while trailing 6–4, 3–2. Djokovic holds a 3–1 head-to-head record against de Minaur and will seek his 102nd ATP Tour title. The six-time China Open champion has not lost at the tournament since 2009.

In the women's draw, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen defeated 18th seed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 7–6 (3), 4–6, 7–5 in a grueling three-set match to reach the round of 16. Zheng will next face Armenia's Alina Charaeva. Poland's Iga Swiatek, a former world No. 1, also advanced to the round of 16 after a comeback victory against Croatia's Donna Vekic, winning 4–6, 7–6 (0), 6–2. American Coco Gauff (world No. 4) defeated US Open girls' champion Sun Xinran 7–5, 6–1 and will meet 13th seed Elise Mertens in the next round.