Daniil Medvedev disqualified from China Open after hitting spectator with ball

Beijing: Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semifinal clash against Novak Djokovic on Monday after launching a ball into the stands that struck a front-row spectator.

The impacted fan held a hand over their left eye and was escorted out of the arena to receive assistance.

The incident took place with Djokovic serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3. Following a forehand volley winner by the Serb, the ball rebounded off the baseline advertising boards back toward Medvedev, who struck a backhand out of frustration that sailed directly into the crowd.

As the spectator was assisted away, Medvedev stood on court watching the situation unfold. The chair umpire and tournament supervisor subsequently stepped onto the court to confer with the Russian. Accepting the decision without significant protest, Medvedev walked to the net to shake hands with Djokovic.

The default echoed Djokovic’s own disqualification at the 2020 U.S. Open when he accidentally hit a line judge in the neck with a ball. Medvedev has faced disciplinary action previously, including a 6,000 euro ($7,000) fine for unsportsmanlike conduct after smashing his racket seven times during a straight-sets loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this year.

With the victory, Djokovic preserved his immaculate career record at the China Open, extending it to 33-0. He moves on to Tuesday’s final against ninth-ranked Alex de Minaur, who advanced after Hubert Hurkacz retired due to injury midway through the second set of their semifinal match.

This marks Djokovic’s second final appearance of the year following his runner-up finish to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. Unseeded in the top 10 for the first time in eight years after dropping to world No. 11, Djokovic was competing in his first tournament since a early exit at the U.S. Open. The 39-year-old Serb reached the semifinals after coming from behind to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday's quarterfinals.

During the match against Medvedev, Djokovic received two time-violation warnings on his serve, resulting in the loss of a first serve on a crucial second-set break point—a point he ultimately managed to win. Medvedev struggled to capitalise on key opportunities throughout the match, converting just two of 18 break points in a contest defined by grueling baseline exchanges.

In the day's earlier semifinal, De Minaur was leading 6-4, 3-2 when Hurkacz—who was noticeably impaired in his movement during the second set—was forced to stop playing.

In women’s third-round action, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek mounted a comeback to defeat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (0), 6-2, setting up a clash with Iva Jovic, who overcame Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 7-5. Elsewhere, Elina Svitolina advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Maria Sakkari, while Coco Gauff faced 16-year-old Chinese wild card and U.S. Open junior champion Sun Xinran.

Meanwhile, reigning U.S. Open champion Elena Rybakina pulled out of the upcoming Wuhan Open citing a foot injury. The decision follows her early exit in Beijing on Saturday, where she lost her opening match as world No. 1 to 118th-ranked Alina Charaeva of Armenia. Charaeva followed up her upset by defeating Sonay Kartal 6-4, 6-1 to reach the last 16. (AP)