The semifinal match of the prestigious ATP 500 tournament in Beijing, China, between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev ended in a massive scandal. The referee panel made a decision to disqualify the Russian tennis player for injuring a spectator in the stands.
Tense Battle and Match Climax
The semifinal encounter kept fans in suspense from the very first rallies. The first set went to the Serbian athlete 7:5, and in the second set, Djokovic managed to break serve and was confidently heading toward victory. The culmination occurred at 5:3 in favor of Novak during his service game, when emotions on the court reached their absolute limit.
Fatal Shot and Immediate Disqualification
Failing to reach a difficult ball in the corner of the court, an enraged Daniil Medvedev angrily smashed the ball into the stands with his racket. The tennis ball hit a spectator sitting in the front rows directly in the head. After a brief consultation involving chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani and the tournament supervisor, an unconditional decision was made to immediately disqualify the player.
Consequences of the Incident and Djokovic Reaching the Final
Due to the premature termination of the match, Novak Djokovic automatically advanced to the final in Beijing. This success became a continuation of the legendary Serb's unique streak: he won his 33rd consecutive match on the courts of the Chinese capital, where he remains undefeated in his career. In the decisive showdown, Djokovic is set to face Australian Alex de Minaur, who reached the final via a walkover.
Controversial Data
While official protocols and video replays clearly record the fact that the ball entered the stands following the player's emotional breakdown, various sports public pages and fan chats actively debate the degree of intent. Some sources claim the ball ricocheted toward advertising boards, but video footage confirms a direct hit on the spectator, serving as the grounds for severe ATP sanctions.
