2021 Champion Daniil Medvedev Suffers Shocking Defeat In 1st Round Of US Open

Last Updated:August 25, 2025, 11:33 IST

Bonzi advanced to the second round after holding his nerve to win 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 0-6, 6-4 in 3hr 45min.

Daniil Medvedev reacts after losing his first round match in US Open 2025. (Picture Credit: AP)

France’s Benjamin Bonzi sent Russian 13th seed Daniil Medvedev crashing out of the US Open early Monday in a stormy late-night thriller that erupted into chaos following an extraordinary third-set incident.

Bonzi advanced to the second round after keeping his nerve to win 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 0-6, 6-4 in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

The match turned dramatic in the third set as Bonzi served at advantage on match point, leading 5-4 after taking the first two sets.

After faulting on his first serve, Bonzi was about to serve again when chair umpire Greg Allensworth abruptly halted play because a photographer mistakenly walked onto the court.

Allensworth called for time, shouting, “Not now, get off the court please," before awarding Bonzi a new first serve due to “delay caused by outside interference."

This prompted an irate reaction from Medvedev, who sprinted across the court to angrily argue with Allensworth, accusing the umpire of trying to end the match early.

“Are you a man? Are you a man?" the 2021 US Open champion asked Allensworth, before shouting into a courtside microphone: “He wants to go home guys. He doesn’t like to be here; he gets paid by the match, not by the hour."

Medvedev then turned to the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd, waving his arms wildly to encourage them to express their displeasure.

With deafening catcalls and jeers raining down, play was delayed for more than six minutes before Bonzi finally had the chance to serve for the match again.

Clearly rattled, Bonzi saw Medvedev save match point and then force a third-set tie-break, which Medvedev won to keep the match alive.

Bonzi appeared to falter in the fourth set, with Medvedev winning 6-0 to push the match to a decider.

However, Bonzi showed great determination in the fifth set, twice recovering from breaks before breaking Medvedev’s serve to secure victory.

“It was crazy. I may have gained some new fans but also some new non-fans," Bonzi said afterward.

“The energy was wild. Thanks to all those who were booing, it gave me energy in the fifth."

Bonzi admitted he lost composure during Medvedev’s third-set antics.

“I never experienced something like that. Maybe we wait five minutes before the match point, and it was so difficult to play," he said.

“I tried to stay calm and stay in the match, but it was not easy."

Medvedev, meanwhile, slumped to his seat after the defeat, smashing his racquet violently in frustration.

(With inputs from AFP)

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First Published:

August 25, 2025, 11:33 IST

News sports 2021 Champion Daniil Medvedev Suffers Shocking Defeat In 1st Round Of US Open

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