Photo via Yahoo Sports

Daniil Medvedev kicked out of China Open after drilling fan in eye with ball

Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his semifinal match at the China Open after a ball he struck into the crowd hit a spectator in the eye during his game against Novak Djokovic on Monday. The incident occurred at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, with the spectator leaving the arena clutching his left eye while Djokovic was serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3.

Medvedev’s outburst came amid frustration, mirroring a similar disqualification Djokovic faced in 2020 at the U.S. Open for accidentally striking a line judge with a ball.

Djokovic, who extended his unbeaten record at the China Open to 33-0, expressed sympathy for both the injured fan and Medvedev, acknowledging the emotional toll of such penalties. Meanwhile, Djokovic will now face Alex de Minaur in the final after Hubert Hurkacz retired midway through his semifinal against the Australian, leaving de Minaur leading 6-4, 3-2.

In the women’s tournament, Iga Świątek advanced past Donna Vekić with a 4-6, 7-6 (0), 6-2 victory, setting up a potential clash with Iva Jović in the next round.

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