Novak Djokovic makes history as Daniil Medvedev disqualified in dramatic semi-final

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev served up a sensational semi-final showdown. The Serbian had to battle for every single point, repeatedly dropping to his knees to catch his breath amid sweltering conditions that have troubled him before. Pushed to his absolute limits, Djokovic secured a spot in his 146th career final, where he will face Australia's Alex de Minaur, who advanced after Hubert Hurkacz was forced to retire midway through the second set.

The semi-final was packed with drama and theatrics. Medvedev appeared frustrated by his opponent's exaggerated reactions between points, even mocking Djokovic by clutching his own midriff whenever the Serb won a point looking completely exhausted. However, the Russian was not immune to the demanding conditions either, requiring a medical timeout late in the second set for a shoulder massage.

After dropping the opening set 7-5, Medvedev continued to push Djokovic to the limit. The all-time great seemed on the brink of victory at 5-3, serving for the match. However, the contest ended prematurely when Medvedev was disqualified during the game. Frustrated after missing a shot, he struck a ball into the stands, hitting a spectator in the eye. With the fan requiring immediate medical attention, tournament officials had no choice. Following a brief consultation between the chair umpire, Medvedev, and the supervisor, the Russian was defaulted, handing Djokovic the victory.

A dejected Medvedev left the court after a grueling battle lasting two hours and 29 minutes. The result sends Djokovic into his 146th career final at his beloved Beijing tournament, where he boasts an unblemished record with multiple titles. His winning streak in the Chinese capital now stands at 33 matches, equaling Monica Seles' all-time record set at the Australian Open. A victory over De Minaur in the final would see him claim the outright record, having already surpassed Rafael Nadal's men's milestone by reaching the semi-finals.