“I’m a little bit shocked. I feel sorry for the person. I hope they’re not injured,” Novak Djokovic said after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified during their semifinal match in Beijing.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the final in Beijing after his semifinal opponent, Daniil Medvedev, was disqualified late in the second set for striking a spectator in the face with a tennis ball. The incident occurred following a lost point, leaving the fan visibly in pain as tournament staff escorted them away from the stands. At the time of the default, Djokovic held a lead of 7:5, 5:3, 15:15 after nearly two and a half hours of play on court.
Semifinal Disqualification at the China Open
The abrupt ending brought a sudden halt to a tense, closely contested semifinal battle. Djokovic was declared the winner after two hours and 29 minutes, securing his path to the championship match. The 39-year-old Serbian star, who boasts an undefeated record in Beijing, advances to face Australian player Alex de Minaur in the final. This victory marks Djokovic’s 33rd match win at the tournament, maintaining his flawless record at the venue.
Reflecting on the unusual conclusion, Djokovic expressed immediate concern for the injured spectator while also acknowledging his opponent’s distress. “I feel sorry for Daniil as well, because I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified for something like that,” Djokovic noted, recalling his own default at the 2020 US Open.
Medvedev Regrets Accidental Hit to Spectator
Speaking after the match, Medvedev expressed deep regret for the incident involving the fan on the stands. “I’m very sorry for the spectator. I’m trying to get in touch with him if he wishes so,” the Russian player stated, according to L’Équipe. He maintained that the action was entirely unintentional, emphasizing, “It was one hundred percent an accident. You can see that I didn’t hit the ball out of anger.”
The disqualification enforced by tournament officials abruptly cut short what had been a grueling physical contest between the two competitors. Prior to the second-set incident, the opening set alone stretched to one hour and 19 minutes before Djokovic claimed it 7:5.
Physical Fatigue Preceded the Sudden Ending
Both players showed visible signs of physical strain as the match wore on. Djokovic, dealing with apparent physical discomfort, repeatedly leaned over with his hands resting on his thighs between points. Medvedev appeared skeptical of his opponent’s condition, mimicking the Serbian player on several occasions.
The tension escalated during the second set when Medvedev dropped his serve to fall behind 4:2, prompting the Russian to take a brief medical timeout. Although Medvedev immediately broke back to reclaim the lost game, he subsequently surrendered his serve once more, leading to the dramatic escalation and ultimate default that ended the contest.
Upcoming Final Matchup in Beijing
With the semifinal concluded via disqualification, tournament organizers confirmed the schedule for the final. Novak Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur in the championship match on Tuesday in Beijing. Djokovic enters the final aiming to extend his unbeaten streak at the tournament.
