{
  "id": 12251704,
  "title": "Djokovic into China Open final as Medvedev out for hitting fan with ball",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/djokovic-into-china-open-final-as-medvedev-out-for-hitting-fan-with",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T23:12:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/racquet-sports/2026/10/1548524/djokovic-china-open-final-medvedev-out-hitting-fan-ball"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a surprising turn of events at the China Open, Novak Djokovic advanced to the final after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified for accidentally hitting a spectator with a ball during a point deep in the match. Medvedev approached the stands and apologized to the fan, stating it was an accident. Djokovic will face world number nine Alex de Minaur for the title on Tuesday. Earlier in the tournament, Djokovic had made a similar error in the 2020 US Open, accidentally hitting a line judge. The Australian admitted it was a tough contest and lucky to win. In the women's draw, Coco Gauff advanced to the second round, defeating Chinese teenager Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1. Gauff expressed that it could be challenging to play young players with styles unknown to her. Former world number one Iga Swiatek staged a comeback to advance, defeating Croatia's Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2. Swiatek will face American teenager Iva Jovic for a spot in the quarter-finals. China's Zheng Qinwen also advanced, defeating Belgium's Marie Bouzkova in a three-set battle. Zheng will play American Alina Charaeva in the next round. Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and Ukraine's Elina Svitolina also advanced, with Svitolina facing American Ann Li.",
  "summary": "BEIJING: Novak Djokovic advanced to the China Open final on Monday after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified late in the second set, when a ball that came off the Russian’s racquet hit a spectator.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified after hitting spectator with ball",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-after-hitting-spectator-with-ball",
        "published": "2026-10-05T20:09:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified for hitting fan with ball as De Minaur reaches China final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-for-hitting-fan-with-ball-as-de-minaur-reaches",
        "published": "2026-10-05T21:29:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified for hitting fan with ball as De Minaur reaches China final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-for-hitting-fan-with-ball-as-de-minaur-reaches-12234793",
        "published": "2026-10-05T21:29:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Medvedev disqualified for hitting spectator with ball",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/medvedev-disqualified-for-hitting-spectator-with-ball",
        "published": "2026-10-05T21:39:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}