BEIJING — Novak Djokovic advanced to the China Open final after Daniil Medvedev was defaulted in dramatic circumstances during their semifinal in Beijing, with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3 at 15-15 when the match was stopped after two hours and 39 minutes.
The first set took nearly 80 minutes as Djokovic secured a late break for 7-5, and the second was approaching the same mark when Djokovic hit a winner while serving for the match. The ball ricocheted off the back wall to Medvedev, who instinctively hit it into the crowd and struck a fan in the front row behind him. The spectator was attended to by medical personnel and escorted off court for further treatment. After consultation with an ATP official, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani disqualified Medvedev for ball abuse after ruling he had "hit a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court." Medvedev accepted the decision and later apologized, describing the incident as a "100% accident," but he will be stripped of his ranking points and prize money from the tournament.
Djokovic said he was left in a "bit of shock" and addressed both the fan and his opponent on social media. "Bit in shock after that one. An incredible battle, and grateful to be heading to another China Open final," he wrote in an Instagram post. "Most importantly, wishing the injured spectator a speedy recovery. Also sending my thoughts to @medwed33. I've been there. It's a horrible way for a match to end." In his post-match press conference, Djokovic added empathy from personal experience: "I'm also feeling sorry for Daniil because I know the feeling. 2020 US Open for similar circumstances I was also disqualified," he said. "It's horrible because I'm sure that Daniil didn't have the intention of injuring anybody in the stands, but it happens."
Djokovic will face Alex de Minaur on Tuesday in the final as he chases a seventh China Open title and a perfect 34-0 record at the tournament. The victory also moved Djokovic past Roger Federer to make ATP history by reaching the final, and he is now one win away from matching the longest undefeated tournament streak in tennis.