In perhaps the most bizarre incident of the 2019 season, two fans began to brawl during the China Open. As Angelique Kerber battled against local favorite Zhang Shuai in the first round, a violent scene unfolded in Zhang's player box.

A young man was cheering for Kerber when a guest in Zhang's box responded by throwing punches and kicking him. The plot thickened when it was brought to light that the young Kerber fan may have initiated the brawl, spitting into the player box and slapping Zhang's mother.

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Social media did as social media does, poking fun at the situation and Kerber's lackluster 2019 season.

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Imagine catching a beating for cheering for Kerber, of all players pic.twitter.com/pUPwquVJQl — Obe1 (@obe1obryant) September 29, 2019

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The German has won just two matches since losing at Wimbledon in July but she bounced back from a break down in the final set to beat Zhang, 6-2, 1-6, 6-4. She will face Polona Hercog in the second round.

Zhang and Kerber
fans get in physical
fight in Beijing

Zhang and Kerber fans get in physical fight in Beijing