Daniil Medvedev Defaulted in Beijing
Andy Roddick said Daniil Medvedev's China Open default was the correct response after a spectator was struck.
Daniil Medvedev was defaulted during his China Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic after a ball struck a spectator. Andy Roddick said the ruling was clear and that Medvedev accepted responsibility.
Default ends Beijing semifinal
Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from his China Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic after a ball he struck hit a spectator in the face. Djokovic held a set lead and was ahead late in the second set when the incident occurred. Medvedev is ranked No. 6.
The ball bounced back toward Medvedev after a point. He hit it forward, and it reached a spectator seated near the court. It was accidental. Medvedev later apologized and said the contact was a "100% accident," while stressing that he was worried about the spectator's condition.
Roddick sees a clear ruling
Andy Roddick viewed the decision as an uncomplicated application of the rule. The former world No. 1 said Medvedev had made the error that led directly to the default. His response was direct.
Roddick argued that intent should not change the outcome once a player hits someone in the crowd. He said officials should avoid distinctions based on exactly where a spectator is struck, because the contact itself creates the same disciplinary issue. The chair umpire spoke with those involved and made the call quickly. Roddick said Medvedev appeared to understand the decision.
Djokovic had control of the match
Djokovic was ahead. Roddick said the Serbian was likely to complete the win even without the default, given his advantage when play stopped. The semifinal therefore ended without a conventional final point.
Djokovic has won seven of his last ten completed matches, a run that adds context to Roddick's view of the contest. Still, the result was settled by the default rather than by Djokovic serving out the match. That distinction matters. Medvedev's action, not a completed closing game, brought the semifinal to its end.
Medvedev puts spectator first
Medvedev's immediate focus after the match was the spectator. He said he hoped to make contact and apologize in person if that was welcomed. The player also said he felt awful when he saw what had happened.
The incident interrupts a strong recent stretch for Medvedev, who has won eight of his last ten completed matches. His explanation was that the ball was moving back toward him and that he tried to keep it from leaving the court. There was no playing finish. The lasting issue from Beijing is the safety of the spectator and Medvedev's acceptance of the sanction.
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