Medvedev defaulted from China Open for hitting spectator with ball

Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from his China Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic on Monday after the Russian threw a ball into the stands and hit a spectator sitting in the front row.

The spectator was escorted out of the stadium holding a hand over his left eye.

At the time of the incident, Djokovic was serving to close out the match at 7-5, 5-3. Medvedev threw the ball into the crowd in frustration. Moments earlier, after a winning forehand volley by Djokovic, the ball bounced off an advertising board and came back toward Medvedev, who hit a one-handed backhand that sent it into the stands.

The struck spectator was helped out of the playing area while Medvedev stood on court watching. The chair umpire and tournament supervisor walked onto the court to speak with Medvedev, who appeared not to dispute the decision. Medvedev then walked to the net to shake hands with Djokovic.

The incident recalled Djokovic's expulsion from the 2020 US Open after he accidentally hit a line judge in the throat with a ball.

"It's a bit of a shock, really," Djokovic said. "I did not see what happened. I hope the person is not badly hurt. On the other hand, I feel sorry for Daniil, because I know exactly what it feels like to be defaulted in a big match like this. I'm sure Daniil did not intend to do this. It's just the way it is."

Medvedev has a history of on-court behavioral issues. He was fined 6,000 euros ($7,000) for unsportsmanlike conduct after smashing his racket seven times during a 6-0, 6-0 loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this year.

Djokovic keeps perfect record

Djokovic extended his unbeaten record at the China Open to 33-0. Chasing a seventh China Open title in Tuesday's final, he will face world No. 9 Alex de Minaur, who advanced when Hubert Hurkacz retired with an injury midway through the second set of the other semifinal.

It will be Djokovic's second final of the year, after a loss to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. Ranked No. 11, it is the first time in eight years that Djokovic has played a tournament while outside the top 10. It is also his first event since a first-round exit at the US Open. The 39-year-old Serb came from behind to beat top seed Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

Against Medvedev, Djokovic was called twice for serve-clock violations. After the first warning, he lost his first serve on a key break point in the second set but still won the point. Medvedev converted only 2 of 18 break points as the two former world No. 1s traded long rallies.

The match was at the 2-hour, 29-minute mark when Medvedev was defaulted.

"I was three points from winning," Djokovic said. "It's always a big battle with Daniil, and it's very difficult to beat him when he feels the ball well in slow conditions with a big serve. But we have to keep going."

De Minaur led 6-4, 3-2 when Hurkacz, who was barely able to move to chase balls in the second set, stopped playing. The nature of Hurkacz's injury was not immediately clear.

In third-round women's play, which wrapped up Sunday, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek came from behind to beat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (0), 6-2 and will face Iva Jovic, who defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 7-5. Elina Svitolina beat Maria Sakkari 6-4, 7-5. Later, Coco Gauff was set to take on 16-year-old Chinese qualifier Sun Xinran, the reigning US Open junior champion.

Rybakina withdraws from Wuhan Open

US Open champion Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the upcoming Wuhan Open with a foot injury. On Saturday, Rybakina lost her first match as world No. 1, falling to Alina Charaeva of Armenia, ranked 118th, in the second round in Beijing.

"I will take some time off to rest and recover," Rybakina was quoted as saying by Wuhan Open organizers.

Charaeva extended her strong run by beating Sonay Kartal 6-4, 6-1 to reach the round of 16.