Belinda Bencic avoids Djokovic-style US Open default after hitting spectator with ball
WTAWednesday, 02 September 2026 at 19:30
Belinda Bencic’s US Open campaign came to an end with a controversial defeat to Yulia Putintseva, but the final score was not the only thing that caught attention on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The No. 12 seed surrendered an early advantage before Putintseva completed a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 comeback.
Bencic had looked in control after taking the opening set and breaking early in the second to establish a 2-0 lead. Putintseva immediately responded, however, and the match changed complexion. The Kazakh fought her way back into the contest before eventually taking control and securing one of the biggest wins of the tournament so far.
The most unusual moment came during the second set, when Bencic hit a ball behind her without looking and sent it into the stands. The ball struck a spectator, prompting Putintseva to question the chair umpire over the decision not to default her opponent from the match.
The exchange inevitably brought back memories of Novak Djokovic’s infamous 2020 US Open disqualification, when the Serbian was defaulted after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball. Putintseva made that comparison herself, but the umpire explained why Bencic’s incident had been treated differently.
Putintseva questions why Bencic was not disqualified
The incident came early in the second set, shortly after Bencic had broken Putintseva to take a 2-0 lead. The Swiss player hit a ball behind her without looking, sending it away from the court and into the stands, where it struck a spectator.
Putintseva immediately turned to the chair umpire and questioned why Bencic had not been defaulted from the match. The umpire explained that the circumstances did not warrant such a punishment because Bencic had not intentionally hit the ball towards the crowd.
“She hit the ball outside. She hit someone. Was it intentional? No,” the umpire explained.
Putintseva, however, was not satisfied with that reasoning and pointed to the fact that a spectator had still been struck. “But she hit someone,” she responded.
The umpire then clarified that Bencic had not escaped punishment altogether. She had received a code violation for the incident, but the decision did not go as far as a default, allowing her to continue playing.
“Eventually she hit someone. The person is fine. So she received the code violation for that,” the umpire said.
That exchange became one of the defining moments of the match, with Putintseva clearly questioning whether an unintentional incident should still have carried a more severe penalty. “But the person that Djokovic hit was also fine,” she said.
Belinda Bencic servisini kırdırınca topu fırlatıyor ve top seyirciye geliyor, Bencic'e uyarı veriliyor https://t.co/0vxrV2a9Uo pic.twitter.com/cT5b3sdYTX
— Dodikan #Tennis (@Dogukandilber) September 2, 2026
“The person that Djokovic hit was also fine”
Putintseva's reference was to Djokovic’s fourth-round match against Pablo Carreño Busta at the 2020 US Open. The Serbian accidentally struck a line judge in the throat after hitting a ball away in frustration, and he was subsequently defaulted from the tournament.
There was, however, a significant difference between that incident and what happened with Bencic. The umpire’s explanation centered on intent, with Bencic’s action judged to have been unintentional. She therefore remained on court, although the code violation was recorded against her.
The controversy did not ultimately change the outcome of the match. Putintseva recovered from losing the first set, saved herself after falling behind early in the second and eventually completed the comeback to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
For Bencic, it was a disappointing exit after entering New York as the No. 12 seed. For Putintseva, meanwhile, the victory sends her into the second round — but the discussion surrounding the match may continue long after the final point, particularly because of the comparison with Djokovic’s 2020 default.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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