Daniil Medvedev made an inglorious exit from the China Open on Monday after being fouled in their semi-final clash Novak Djokovic.
With Djokovic serving for the match at 7-5 5-3 15-all, the Russian’s frustration boiled over and when a ball bounced off the back wall, Medvedev smashed it into the crowd, hitting a spectator in the front row.
The man leaned over with his hands over his face for several minutes before being taken away from the stands for further treatment.
Referee Mohammed Layani consulted the tournament referee but had no choice but to default the third seed.
Medvedev’s meltdown means Djokovic extends an incredible China Open record
Djokovic appeared to be a little disappointed that the match went down the way it did as he looked to build on Sunday’s hugely impressive defeat of French Open and US Open champion Alexander Zverev in Beijing.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is now in his first ATP 500 Championship match since winning in Astana in 2022 and will face Alex De Minaur on tuesday
The Australian was leading Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 3-2 when the Pole had to retire due to injury.
Djokovic, who extended his unbeaten streak at the China Open to 33 matches, has a 3-1 record against De Minaur.
