FLUSHING MEADOWS — The US Open descended into chaos on Sunday when a photographer got here onto the court docket as Daniil Medvedev confronted match level, bringing the first-round match to a standstill and sparking a spectacular meltdown from the Russian.
Medvedev was ultimately knocked out 6-3 7-5 6-7(5) 0-6 6-4 by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who threatened to stroll off the court docket at one level and known as for the Russian to be disqualified.
Medvedev has produced some extraordinary moments at Flushing Meadows over time – however what occurred on the 2021 champion’s strategy to one other humbling defeat was maybe essentially the most unimaginable.
Serving for the match at 6-3 7-5 5-4, Bonzi was getting ready to play his second serve when the photographer stepped onto the court docket floor.
The disruption led chair umpire Greg Allensworth to place Bonzi again onto his first serve, sparking an astonishing outburst from Medvedev.
“Are you a person? Are you a person? Why are you shaking?” the Russian shouted as he stormed in the direction of the chair.
“He desires to go residence, guys, he doesn’t prefer it right here. He will get paid by the match, not by the hour.”
Medvedev additionally repeatedly shouted, “What did Reilly Opelka say?” on the official in reference to the US participant’s name for Allensworth to be suspended after receiving a code violation on the Dallas Open for confronting a spectator.
The match was halted for about six minutes as jeers, whistles and boos rang out round Louis Armstrong Stadium, with followers refusing to remain quiet so Bonzi might serve.
The USTA stated the photographer was escorted from the court docket by US Open safety and that his credentials had been revoked.
The chaos nearly proved Medvedev’s salvation.
After keeping off the match level he broke to stage the set at 5-5 earlier than edging the tiebreak to drive a fourth set.
The 2021 champion seemed a very totally different participant within the fourth set as he dished out a bagel to stage the match as his rattled opponent took a medical timeout for what seemed to be a knee situation.
Boos from the gang continued for the rest of the match, with some followers focusing on Bonzi throughout his service movement.
The ultimate set was far more of a contest, with the duo exchanging a number of breaks of function the match wound right down to a nail-biting end.
Spurred on my shouts of “Braveness!” and “Allez!” from his field, Bonzi sealed the win with a wonderful backhand, with Medvedev returning to his seat and smashing his racket.
“It was loopy. I could have gotten some new followers, but additionally some new non-fans,” stated world quantity 51 Bonzi, who has now overwhelmed Medvedev in all three of their Grand Slam encounters, every time within the first spherical.
“The vitality was loopy. Due to all who have been booing. Thanks for the vitality.
“I’ve by no means skilled one thing like that. We waited perhaps 5 minutes earlier than the match level and it was loopy. There was a lot noise.”
Medvedev turns into the primary former champion to exit this 12 months’s event, leaving Flushing Meadows after a horrible 12 months on the majors the place he managed to get to the second spherical simply as soon as. – Companies
