Russia’s Daniil Medvedev has been disqualified from the China Open after striking a fan in the eye with a ball during the semi-final match against Novak Djokovic.

Medvedev was trailing Djokovic 7-5, 5-3 when he struck a ball that had bounced off a back wall and hit the eye of a spectator in the front row.

The spectator was seen rubbing his left eye in pain as stadium staff assisted him away from the gallery.  The 30-year-old was subsequently disqualified from the match by the umpire.

Medvedev did not protest the disqualification despite saying the incident was unintentional. He will lose his points and prize money from the tournament as a result of the default.

“Terribly sorry to the spectator, first of all,” Medvedev said, adding it was “100 per cent an accident” and that he wished to apologise in person.

“The ball was bouncing back, so I tried to just hit it anywhere so it doesn’t go out from the court. When I saw the result, I felt horrible.

Meanwhile, Djokovic, who was disqualified from the U.S. Open in similar circumstances in 2020, he said he hopes “that person is not badly injured,” adding that “on the other hand, I also feel sorry for Daniil because I know exactly how it feels to be disqualified in a big match.”

Medvedev was fined $42,500 at the U.S. Open last year after losing his temper when a photographer interrupted Benjamin Bonzi’s serve for match point.