Tennis fans likely knew they were in for a long match between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the 2026 China Open. The two players were excellent defensively and not serve-and-volley types. Long, high-level rallies were likely.
The match might come down to which player could hold serve best against a brilliant defensive opponent. At first, that tilted toward Medvedev as he got the early break in the fifth game of the opening set after having four break points.
The next game was just as long, though, and Djokovic would get the break back after earning three break points himself. In the games that followed, each player pushed the other on serve at times, but couldn't come through, and a first-set tie-break appeared inevitable.
Novak Djokovic defeats Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal of the 2026 China Open
It wouldn't be. As often happens, Djokovic raised his level at the end of the set and broke Medvedev easily to take the first set 7-5. Still, the match had been so tight that the Russian might have been expected to even the match a set apiece by taking the second.
Djokovic had reached the semifinals with an exceedingly impressive victory against Alexander Zverev, so he might have had a stronger belief in his ability to get past Medvedev, too. After all, the Serb has something to play for: He had astonishingly not won a title in 2026. The last calendar year he hadn't won a title was 2005.
The second set ended stunningly. After Djokovic had gotten a break to lead 4-2, Medvedev broke right back, but then Djokovic got another break. At 5-3 and with Djokovic serving, a ball went past Medvedev and bounced back toward the player. As the rebound was about to go to Medvedev, he struck the ball (to be clear, not with full force), and it struck a fan.
The fan had to leave the court as the ball had struck him near the eye, and Medvedev was defaulted. The Russian didn't argue, as he understood what he had done, even though it was an accident. Djokovic was on the verge of victory, most likely, but Medvedev sealed the outcome.
Next for Novak Djokovic is the China Open final. He will face Alex de Minaur, who was leading Hubert Hurkacz in his semifinal match before Hurkacz retired. Just as was expected in the semifinal between Djokovic and Medvedev, the final could see long rallies with elite defensive play as well.
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