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| Daniil Medvedev smashed his racket in frustration after suffering a first-round defeat to Benjamin Bonzi at the US Open. |
Daniil Medvedev’s US Open campaign ended in dramatic and chaotic fashion on Sunday after a photographer stepped onto the court during match point, disrupting play and triggering a furious reaction from the 2021 champion.
Medvedev, who has endured a difficult year at the majors, was eventually beaten 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 by France’s Benjamin Bonzi. The world number 51, who has now upset the Russian in all three of their Grand Slam meetings, admitted the extraordinary circumstances made the victory unlike any other in his career. The flashpoint occurred late in the third set, with Bonzi serving for the match at 6-3, 7-5, 5-4. Preparing for a second serve, he was interrupted when a photographer walked onto the court. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth restored Bonzi’s first serve, sparking an irate outburst from Medvedev.
“He wants to go home, guys, he doesn’t like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour,” Medvedev shouted sarcastically, before repeatedly referencing U.S. player Reilly Opelka’s previous criticism of the same umpire.
The match was halted for nearly six minutes amid boos, whistles and jeers from a restless Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd. The USTA later confirmed the photographer’s credentials had been revoked after he was escorted out by security.
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| Benjamin Bonzi of France celebrates after defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in their US Open first-round clash in New York on August 25. |
The interruption initially worked in Medvedev’s favor. He saved match point, broke back to 5-5, and clawed his way through a tiebreak to force a fourth set, which he dominated 6-0 as Bonzi struggled with a knee issue.
But the Frenchman, urged on by chants of “Courage!” and “Allez!” from his supporters, regained his composure in the deciding set. After a series of tense service breaks, he sealed the victory with a crisp backhand winner, leaving Medvedev smashing his racket in frustration.
“It was crazy. I may have gained some new fans, but also some new non-fans,” Bonzi said with a smile. “The atmosphere was unbelievable, even with all the noise. I’ve never played through anything like that.” The defeat makes Medvedev the first former champion to bow out of this year’s US Open, capping a miserable season in which he advanced beyond the second round of a major only once.
But the Frenchman, urged on by chants of “Courage!” and “Allez!” from his supporters, regained his composure in the deciding set. After a series of tense service breaks, he sealed the victory with a crisp backhand winner, leaving Medvedev smashing his racket in frustration.
“It was crazy. I may have gained some new fans, but also some new non-fans,” Bonzi said with a smile. “The atmosphere was unbelievable, even with all the noise. I’ve never played through anything like that.” The defeat makes Medvedev the first former champion to bow out of this year’s US Open, capping a miserable season in which he advanced beyond the second round of a major only once.
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