{
  "id": 12178271,
  "title": "Medvedev disqualified from China Open semi after hitting ball into crowd",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-from-china-open-semi-after-hitting-ball-into-12178271",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T14:45:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-from-china-open-semi-after-hitting-ball-into-crowd"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semi-final match against Novak Djokovic after hitting a ball into the crowd on Monday. The incident occurred when Medvedev, who was trailing 7-5, 5-3, hit a rebounding ball that struck a spectator in the eye. The victim, sitting in the first row of the gallery, clutched his left eye and appeared to be in distress as he was helped out by stadium staff. Djokovic, the sixth seed, expressed shock and concern for the spectator, stating that he hopes the individual is not seriously injured. Djokovic also empathized with Medvedev, acknowledging the disappointment of being disqualified in a high-stakes match. Additionally, both semi-finals were cut short due to another early exit - Hubert Hurkacz withdrew from his own semi-final with an adductor injury. The first semi-final saw Australian player Alex de Minaur lead against his Polish opponent, but the match also ended prematurely as Hubert Hurkacz had to withdraw mid-game.",
  "summary": "The result means Novak Djokovic has qualified for the China Open final, where he will face Australian Alex de Minaur.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified from China Open semi after hitting ball into crowd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-from-china-open-semi-after-hitting-ball-into",
        "published": "2026-10-05T14:39:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified from China Open semi after hitting ball into crowd",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-from-china-open-semi-after-hitting-ball-into-12179506",
        "published": "2026-10-05T14:45:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified from China Open for hitting spectator with a ball during match vs. Djokovic",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-from-china-open-for-hitting-spectator-with-a",
        "published": "2026-10-05T14:52:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified after hitting spectator with ball; Djokovic ‘shocked’ - Watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-after-hitting-spectator-with-ball-djokovic",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:02:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified after hitting spectator with ball during Djokovic match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-after-hitting-spectator-with-ball-during",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified from China Open after spectator injured",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-from-china-open-after-spectator-injured",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:47:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified from China Open for hitting fan with a ball",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-from-china-open-for-hitting-fan-with-a-ball",
        "published": "2026-10-05T16:17:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Novak Djokovic Reaches China Open Final After Daniil Medvedev Defaulted For Ball Hitting Spectator",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/novak-djokovic-reaches-china-open-final-after-daniil-medvedev",
        "published": "2026-10-05T16:33:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}