The incident happened during the rally. Medvedev, driven wide to the right and dominating the exchange, hit a backhand cross-court. The ball flew with full force into the spectators’ box. The referee and the keeper had no choice and the epic battle, far from over, came to an abrupt end.
The referee and the keeper had no choice and the epic battle, far from over, came to an abrupt end. The disqualification is a heavy blow for Medvedev. He forfeits all ATP ranking points and prize money he earned in Beijing as he battles to qualify for the ATP Finals.
I feel sorry for Daniil too because I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified for that.
“I’m a bit shocked, I’m sorry for the man, I hope he’s not hurt,” he said. “I feel sorry for Daniil as well because I know exactly what it feels like to be disqualified for that. I was disqualified from US Open 2020. I was three points away from victory, from an incredible fight today.”
The result adds to the 39-year-old’s remarkable week. After beating world No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, he became the first player over the age of 39 to beat two top 10 opponents in the same tournament since the ATP Tour was created in 1990.
At 39 years and 137 days, he is also the oldest ATP 500 finalist. In every Tour-level event since 1990, only Ivo Karlovic, aged 39 years and 311 days in Pune in 2019, has reached the final at an older age.
The world No. 11, now 33-0 in Beijing, defeated top seed Zverev 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, Chinese wild card Yunchaoket Bui 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 and Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2).
In the final, Djokovic will meet with Australian number 5 Alex de Minaur. De Minaur also advanced without finishing his semi-final; Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz retired with the Australian leading 6-4, 3-2.