Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from the China Open after hitting a spectator with a ball; Novak Djokovic Says ‘I Was Shocked’ – Watch

LR: Officials assist injured man; and Daniil Medvedev talks to officials. (Photo by AP/Reuters) Daniil Medvedev’s China Open campaign ended in extraordinary fashion on Monday when the Russian was disqualified from his semi-final against Novak Djokovic after hitting a ricocheting ball into the crowd that hit a spectator in the eye.Medvedev trailed Djokovic 5-7, 3-5 when the incident occurred. After losing the point, he hit the ball as it came back off the wall, sending it into the stands behind him.The ball hit a spectator sitting in the first row in the eye. The fan immediately grabbed his left eye and appeared to be in pain before being helped from the gallery by stadium staff.The dramatic incident brought an abrupt end to a hard-fought semi-final with Djokovic advancing to the China Open final. The Serb was serving for the match when Medvedev was sent off.WATCH:

Djokovic: “I was shocked”

Djokovic, who was himself disqualified from the 2020 US Open after accidentally hitting a linesman with the ball, said he was shocked by what happened and expressed his sympathy to both the spectator and Medvedev.“I was shocked to be honest… I hope the person is not badly hurt,” Djokovic said. “On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil because I know exactly what it’s like to be disqualified in a big match… I’m sure Daniil didn’t want to do it on purpose.The incident was particularly poignant for Djokovic because it resembled his own controversial exit from the US Open six years ago. He sat out the 2020 tournament after hitting a linesman with the ball during his fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta.Djokovic’s victory extended his perfect China Open record to 33-0 and sent him to his seventh final in Beijing.

Novak Djokovic with the referee after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified. (Photo by Reuters)

Another semi-final ends early

The extraordinary finish followed another premature end to the China Open men’s semifinal on Monday.Australia’s Alex de Minaur advanced to the final after Hubert Hurkacz withdrew with an apparent adductor injury. De Minaur was leading 6-4, 3-2 when the Polish player, who had struggled with movement throughout the match, stopped playing.De Minaur will face Djokovic in Tuesday’s final.In the women’s draw, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek saved a set to defeat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (0), 6-2. She will next face Iva Jovic, who beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 7-5.Elina Svitolina also advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Maria Sakkari, while Coco Gauff faced 16-year-old Chinese wild card Sun Xinran.