Novak Djokovic has advanced to the China Open final after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from their semi-final match on Monday. The incident occurred late in the second set when a ball hit a spectator in the stands behind Medvedev's side of the court. The Russian player had hit the ball with a backhand after it bounced off the back wall, and the chair umpire immediately stopped play. Medvedev was subsequently disqualified from the match.
The match had been a physical battle before Medvedev's disqualification, with both players forcing each other through gruelling rallies. Djokovic was seen red-faced and hunched over between points, but he took control in the second set. The 39-year-old Serbian player put on a dazzling performance, saving 16 break points across the match, diving at the baseline, and sprinting to the net. His efforts earned him a spot in the final, where he will face Alex de Minaur.
Medvedev expressed his apologies to the spectator who was hit by the ball, saying it was "100 percent an accident" and that he wished to apologise in person. He explained that the ball was bouncing back, and he tried to hit it anywhere so it wouldn't go out of the court. Djokovic also commented on the incident, saying he didn't see what happened and was sure Medvedev didn't do it intentionally.
Djokovic has experience with being disqualified from a match after accidentally hitting a ball at a line judge during the 2020 US Open. He recalled the incident, saying it's horrible but it happens. Despite being three points away from winning the match, Djokovic said victory wouldn't have come easy and that he got "lucky" in a "very exhausting" battle.
In the women's draw, Coco Gauff secured a spot in the round of 16 after dispatching Chinese teenager Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1. The 22-year-old American player said today's match was really just about feeling and that it could be tough to play young players with styles largely unknown. She will face Belgium's Elise Mertens in the next round.
Other players also advanced in the women's draw, including former world number one Iga Swiatek, who staged a comeback to beat Croatia's Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2. China's Zheng Qinwen was tested by Marie Bouzkova but managed to win in three sets, 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-5. Swiatek will face American teenager Iva Jovic for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The China Open final will feature Djokovic against Alex de Minaur, who advanced after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semi-final with an adductor muscle strain. The Australian player will look to cause an upset against the 11th-ranked Djokovic, who is seeking to add to his impressive record in the tournament.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic advances to China Open final after Daniil Medvedev's disqualification
- Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek advance in women's draw
- Djokovic to face Alex de Minaur in the final
