Medvedev disqualified for striking spectator; De Minaur to face Djokovic
Medvedev hit a spectator in the eye with a tennis ball during his China Open semifinal and was ejected from the match.
Daniil Medvedev was banned from his China Open semifinal after hitting a spectator in the eye with a tennis ball. The match was in Beijing with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3.
After Djokovic hit a forehand volley winner, the ball bounced off advertising boards to Medvedev. Medvedev smacked a backhand into the stands.
A spectator in the front row was hit in his left eye and had to leave with help from stadium staff. Medvedev said sorry and told reporters he didn't mean to hit the ball.
Because of the ban, Australia's Alex de Minaur reached the final when his opponent Hubert Hurkacz quit with injury. De Minaur will face Djokovic in Tuesday's final.
- Beijing
- Tournament location
- Djokovic 7-5, 5-3
- Match score at incident
- hit in left eye
- Spectator injury
- world number five
- Medvedev's ranking
Why it mattersDe Minaur gets a rare shot at one of tennis's greatest players in a tournament final, with a chance to break his poor record against the Serb.
AustraliaDe Minaur (Australian number one) plays Djokovic for a title shot, a major opportunity for the home player on the global stage.
Corroborated bysmh.com.au·bbc.com
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 17 h ago
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