Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic on Monday after hitting a ball into the stands and striking a spectator. The decision ended the match and sent Djokovic into Tuesday’s final in Beijing.
Djokovic was leading 7-5, 5-3 and serving for the match. After he won a point, the ball rebounded from the advertising boards towards Medvedev, who struck it backhand into the crowd. It hit a spectator in the front row, who was helped from the arena, holding a hand over his left eye. The chair umpire and tournament supervisor then spoke with Medvedev before he was disqualified.
Tournament organisers said the spectator was taken to hospital, according to Sky Sports. No further medical update was available in the reports reviewed for this story.
Medvedev apologises
Medvedev apologised to the spectator after the match and said he was trying to make contact with him. He described the incident as an accident and said his main concern was the spectator’s wellbeing. Djokovic said he had not seen the ball strike the spectator and hoped the person was not badly injured.
Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur in the final. De Minaur’s semi-final also ended early when Hubert Hurkacz retired while trailing 6-4, 3-2. Djokovic remains unbeaten in 33 China Open matches and is seeking a seventh title at the tournament.
