Medvedev disqualified from China Open semi after hitting ball into crowd

World number five Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final match against Novak Djokovic on Monday after striking a ball into the crowd. The incident occurred when Medvedev, trailing 7-5, 5-3, hit a rebounding ball that landed in front of the first-row spectators. The spectator, who was sitting in the front row, clutched his left eye and appeared to be in distress as he was ushered out of the gallery by stadium staff.

Medvedev's opponent, world number one Novak Djokovic, expressed shock at the situation, stating that he hopes the spectator is not severely injured. Djokovic also empathized with Medvedev, given his own experience of being disqualified in the US Open in 2020 under similar circumstances. The Chinese tennis authorities have confirmed that Medvedev was disqualified for the safety of the spectators.

Earlier in the day, Hubert Hurkacz had to withdraw from his semi-final match against Alex de Minaur due to an adductor injury, resulting in both semi-finals being terminated prematurely in Beijing.