Novak Djokovic has advanced to the China Open final after Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from their semi-final match. Medvedev was disqualified late in the second set when a ball that came off his racquet hit a spectator. The incident occurred when Medvedev hit a backhand into the stands after the ball had bounced off the back wall. Djokovic was serving for the match with the score at 7-5, 5-3.
The spectator who was hit by the ball was seen holding his face and was escorted from his seat. Medvedev apologized to the spectator, saying it was "100 percent an accident" and that he wished to apologize to the fan in person. He explained that he had tried to hit the ball anywhere so it wouldn't go out of the court. Djokovic, who will play Alex de Minaur in the final, said he didn't see what happened and was sure Medvedev didn't do it intentionally.
The match had been a physical battle before Medvedev's disqualification. Djokovic was red-faced and hunched over between points, with both players forcing each other through gruelling rallies. Djokovic saved 16 break points across the match, diving at the baseline and sprinting to the net. He described the match as "very exhausting" and said he got "lucky" in the end.
Djokovic's win sets up a final against Alex de Minaur, who advanced after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their semi-final with an adductor muscle strain. De Minaur will play his first China Open final against Djokovic. In the women's draw, Coco Gauff dispatched Chinese teenager Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 to secure a meeting with Elise Mertens in the round of 16.
Gauff said her match was really just about feeling and that it could be tough to play young players with styles largely unknown. She added that she was trying not to get frustrated out there. Former world number one Iga Swiatek staged a comeback to advance, dominating a must-win tie-break to beat Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2.
Swiatek said she was just angry and wanted to change something because her game wasn't working. She added that sometimes if you care a bit less because you're probably going to lose, it also helps you a bit. Zheng Qinwen was tested by Marie Bouzkova, enduring her third three-setter of the tournament to beat the Czech player 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-5.
Zheng said she gave everything and felt a lot of pressure. She thanked fans for their support and will next play 118th-ranked Alina Charaeva, who sent out top seed Elena Rybakina in the second round. Other winners on the day included Linda Noskova, Elina Svitolina, and Ann Li, who all advanced to the last 16.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic advances to China Open final after Daniil Medvedev disqualified
- Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek win in women's draw
- Zheng Qinwen edges out Marie Bouzkova in three sets
