Daniil Medvedev is defaulted from his China Open semifinal after striking a spectator with a ball, ending the match against Novak Djokovic. Multiple reports describe the incident occurring while Medvedev is trailing Djokovic and playing a point in the match, with the ball reaching the crowd.
Accounts differ slightly on the exact moment and match score at the time. One outlet says Medvedev is defaulted after Djokovic is involved in a pulsating encounter, while another details Medvedev hitting a ball that rebounds off the wall and strikes a spectator in the face or eye. The reports also note that Djokovic advances toward the final and, in some accounts, extends a strong China Open run, with Djokovic saying he is shocked.
The outlets generally agree the disqualification immediately ends Medvedev’s participation in the semifinal. They also situate the event within the broader tournament, including Alex de Minaur advancing to the final after Hubert Hurkacz’s retirement, depending on the timing described by individual sources.
