Medvedev defaulted after ball strikes spectator in Beijing semi-final
Novak Djokovic advanced to face Alex De Minaur in the China Open final, extending his tournament record to 33 wins without a loss.
Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from his China Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic after a ball he hit struck a spectator, according to Sky Sports. Medvedev was trailing 7–5, 5–3 and three points from defeat.
Sky Sports described the incident as accidental. The supplied report does not state the spectator’s condition or give further detail about the tournament’s ruling.
Djokovic said after the match that he was shocked, had not seen what happened and hoped the spectator was not badly injured. He also expressed sympathy for Medvedev, saying he knew how it felt to be disqualified in a major match.
Djokovic was defaulted at the 2020 US Open after hitting a line judge with a ball. He now advances to Tuesday’s final against Alex De Minaur, having won all 33 of his China Open matches.
The Serbian, 39, has won the tournament six times, between 2009 and 2015. A victory in the final would give him his first title of 2026 and the 102nd of his career, Sky Sports reported.
