Novak Djokovic is through to the China Open final after Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a spectator with a ball.

Djokovic had been leading 7-5 5-3 when the incident happened, and he has now stretched his incredible record at the tournament to 33-0.

The pair played out an absorbing semi-final tie across two and a half hours before it was prematurely ended, with Djokovic rallying from a break down to claim the opening set.

Djokovic then broke Medvedev's serve twice in the second to put himself on the brink of victory.

But with the score tied at 15-15 in the ninth game, a ball bounced off the back wall and Medvedev instinctively reacted, hitting the ball, with it going into the crowd and hitting a fan.

The unbeaten run continues It's a SEVENTH Beijing final for @DjokerNole. @ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpen https://t.co/yRxh7mZiEr

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 5, 2026

"A bit of a shock, to be honest," Djokovic said. "Sorry for the person [who got hit]. I honestly didn't see what happened. I hope that person is not badly injured.

"On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil, because I know exactly how he feels to be disqualified in a big match. I was disqualified at the 2020 US Open in similar circumstances.

"I am sure that Daniil didn't want to do this intentionally. It just happens."

Djokovic is chasing his first ATP Tour title of 2026 and will face Alex De Minaur in Tuesday's showpiece, after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semi-final clash with an adductor injury.

The Australian had been leading 6-4 3-2 when Hurkacz had to stop.

Another trophy in touching distance for Djokovic

Djokovic is a six-time champion in Beijing, and he has already broken records with his unbeaten streak at the tournament.

But he is now set to play in his first ATP 500 championship match since he won the Astana Open in 2022.

The 24-time grand slam champion found himself in trouble a few times, but saved 16 of the 18 break points he faced.

De Minaur will prove a tough opponent, though; he is through to his 10th ATP 500 final and has shown his fight throughout the tournament in Beijing.

He dropped the first set in both the round of 16 and the quarter-finals before going on to win both matches, and he will be determined to push Djokovic all the way.