BEIJING — Novak Djokovic said he was left in a "bit of shock" after his China Open semi-final against Daniil Medvedev in Beijing ended in a default with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3 at 15-15 after two hours and 39 minutes of play.
The first set alone took nearly 80 minutes before Djokovic secured a late break to take it 7-5, and the second was heading for a similar duration when the dramatic finish arrived. Serving for the match, Djokovic hit a winner that ricocheted off the back wall back towards Medvedev, who instinctively struck the ball into the crowd where it hit a fan sitting in the front row behind him. The spectator was immediately attended to by medical personnel and escorted from court for further treatment. After a short consultation with an ATP official, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani defaulted Medvedev for ball abuse after ruling he had "hit a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court". Medvedev accepted the decision and will be stripped of his ranking points and prize money from the tournament.
Djokovic, who will face Alex de Minaur in Tuesday's final as he chases a seventh China Open title and a perfect 34-0 record at the tournament, said it was not the way he wanted to progress. "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."
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Djokovic said he empathised with his rival, recalling his own default at the 2020 US Open when he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball. "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."
Medvedev later apologised to the spectator and fans, describing the incident as a "100% accident". Djokovic, meanwhile, has usurped Roger Federer to make ATP history by reaching another China Open final and is now one win away from matching the longest undefeated tournament streak in tennis.