Novak Djokovic speaks out as Daniil Medvedev disqualified and match ends in chaos

Novak Djokovic admitted he felt sorry for Daniil Medvedev after the Russian was disqualified from their China Open semi-final for accidentally hitting a fan with a ball. Medvedev endured a difficult afternoon against the Serbian, who claimed the opening set 7-5 and looked firmly in control before tensions began to rise. The contest was abruptly brought to an end with Djokovic leading 7-5, 5-3 after Medvedev accidentally hit a ball into the crowd.

The 30-year-old was seen in discussion with officials as the spectator struck by the shot was seen with his hands covering his face. The fan later left the arena appearing visibly uncomfortable, prompting the referee to disqualify Medvedev and end the match. As a result, Djokovic will progress to Tuesday's final, where he is set to take on Alex de Minaur. Speaking after the incident, Djokovic said: "A bit of a shock to be honest.

Sorry for the person, I honestly didn't see what happened. "I hope the person is not badly injured. On the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil. I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified. In a big match I was disqualified back in 2020 at the US Open for similar circumstances. "I'm sure that Daniil did not want to do this intentionally. It just happens. I was three points away from the win. It was a gruelling battle.

I definitely didn't want to take this battle to a third set. The Serbian continued: "It was looking like that. I saved I don't know how many break points. It was crazy. I don't know. It always is a big battle with Daniil. It's so hard to play him when he's feeling the ball well in slower conditions and big serve. But yeah, we move on." Sky Sports tennis commentator Nick Lester was stunned by the outcome, saying: "Oh my word.

Well, this is a default. It has to be. Medvedev's out of here. If the ball has hit the man directly off Medvedev's racket, there's no grey area there. "I think he's done. Yep. The authorities here and the umpires were left with no choice. It's totally out of their hands. A match of such high calibre has come to a halt because of a moment of madness. "Let's hope the gentleman that was struck is OK. He certainly looked stricken.

"That's the priority, making sure he's OK. What a deflating end to a match that brought us so much quality." Meanwhile, former British no.1 Annabel Croft explained: "Medvedev won't be feeling good about this at all. What a shame for a match of that quality to have ended like that. What a great, great shame. "It was an incredible contest, the highest quality, couldn't have been better entertainment. Unfortunately, he's going to feel terrible about this.

"Too many times we see so much emotion in players that bubbles over into a situation like that. The crowd are so close and things like this can happen. I just hope he hasn't hurt his eye." With his place in the final secured, Djokovic will take on Alex de Minaur on the Diamond Court on Tuesday, October 6.