In brief
In a shocking turn of events during the US Open's opening rounds, former champion Daniil Medvedev faced an early exit after losing to Benjamin Bonzi amidst controversial circumstances. What began as a tense match escalated into chaos when a photographer entered the court just as Bonzi was about to serve at match point. The interruption ignited Medvedev's anger and rallied the audience, ultimately shifting the match's momentum.
As he faced defeat at 5-4 in the third set, a photographer attempting to find his position walked onto the court, causing an uproar. The incident prompted the chair umpire, Greg Allensworth, to call a halt to the chaos, allowing Bonzi another serve, much to Medvedev's ire. The unexpected interruption extended the match delay to over six minutes, leading to audible displeasure from the crowd.Despite the uproar, Bonzi managed to regain composure, ultimately securing a dramatic 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 0-6, 6-4 victory shortly after midnight. Medvedev later expressed how his emotional outburst had fueled the crowd's reaction, describing it as an unexpected turn of events on the court.The photographer responsible for the disruption has since had his credentials revoked for the remainder of the tournament. Observers noted that this is not the first time Medvedev has ignited tension on the court, having previously embraced a pantomime villain persona at prior US Open events.Post-match, Medvedev, visibly shaken, expressed sentiments of despair, stating that he momentarily contemplated retiring, but reassured fans he would not end his career just yet. The defeat marked a troubling third consecutive first-round exit for Medvedev in Grand Slam tournaments, raising questions about his current form and future in the sport.
