Daniil Medvedev’s campaign at the US Open came to a shocking end after a chaotic first round match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi that was disrupted when a photographer walked onto the court. The incident completely changed the rhythm of the game and sparked a furious meltdown from the former champion.
The drama unfolded late in the third set as Bonzi was serving for the match. A photographer suddenly stepped onto the court, forcing play to stop. The umpire ruled that Bonzi would be allowed a fresh first serve, a decision that infuriated Medvedev. The Russian star stormed to the umpire’s chair, shouting angrily and accusing the official of weakness while the crowd responded with loud boos and whistles. The match was suspended for several minutes before play could resume.
Despite his anger, Medvedev fought back. He won the third set in a tiebreak and then dominated the fourth set 6-0, appearing to turn the match in his favor. But Bonzi regained his focus in the deciding set, holding his nerve to complete a stunning upset with a final score of 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4.
The fallout was immediate. The photographer who caused the disruption was escorted out of the stadium by security and had his credentials revoked by the tournament organizers. Bonzi described the atmosphere as surreal, admitting it was unlike anything he had experienced before. Medvedev, however, left the court to a mix of boos and applause, visibly frustrated by both the incident and his performance.
This result marks Medvedev’s worst Grand Slam run of the year, adding to what has been a disappointing season for the 2021 US Open champion. For Bonzi, the victory represents one of the biggest wins of his career, achieved on one of the sport’s biggest stages in the most unpredictable of circumstances.
