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Medvedev’s Shocking 6-4 Meltdown: US Open Chaos Erupts!
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Photographer Invasion Triggers Medvedev Meltdown in Stunning US Open Upset
(New York) – The US Open witnessed a spectacular and chaotic collapse on Sunday as former champion Daniil Medvedev suffered a shocking first-round exit, a defeat precipitated by a bizarre court invasion and culminating in a fiery meltdown directed at the chair umpire.
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The world No. 1 was ultimately defeated by France’s Benjamin Bonzi, ranked 51st, in a dramatic five-set rollercoaster: 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4. However, the match’s turning point wasn’t a stunning winner but an unprecedented disruption.
With Bonzi serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, a photographer unexpectedly stepped onto the court surface mid-point. The intrusion forced chair umpire Greg Allensworth to halt play. In a controversial decision, upon resumption, Allensworth reset Bonzi to his first serve, negating the second serve he was about to hit.
This ruling ignited an inferno within Medvedev. The Russian stormed towards the chair, unleashing a torrent of fury at Allensworth.
“Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking?” Medvedev shouted, his voice echoing around a stunned Louis Armstrong Stadium. He then sarcastically critiqued the official’s motives: “He wants to go home, guys, he doesn’t like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.”
The drama deepened as Medvedev repeatedly referenced a past incident, yelling, “What did Reilly Opelka say?” This was a pointed callback to American player Reilly Opelka’s previous call for Allensworth’s suspension after a code violation dispute.
Play was suspended for approximately six minutes as the crowd, incited by the chaos, erupted with jeers, whistles, and boos. The noise refused to subside, making it nearly impossible for Bonzi to serve. The USTA later confirmed the photographer was escorted out by security and had his credentials revoked.
Paradoxically, the chaos almost saved Medvedev. Fired up by the controversy, he saved the match point, broke Bonzi’s serve, and clawed his way back to win the third-set tiebreak. He then steamrolled through the fourth set 6-0, as a rattled Bonzi took a medical timeout for a knee issue.
The crowd’s animosity, however, did not fade. Boos persistently rained down, many aimed at Bonzi during his service motions, creating a hostile atmosphere for the underdog.
The fifth set was a tense affair with multiple service breaks. Ultimately, spurred by shouts of “Courage!” from his team, Bonzi sealed the monumental upset with a glorious backhand winner. A defeated Medvedev returned to his chair and smashed his racket in frustration.
For Bonzi, it was a career-defining win in surreal circumstances. “It was crazy. I may have got some new fans, but also some new non-fans,” he said in his post-match interview. “The energy was crazy. Thanks to all who were booing. Thanks for the energy. I’ve never experienced something like that… There was so much noise.”
The loss marks a disastrous majors season for Medvedev, the 2021 champion. He becomes the first former winner to exit this year’s tournament and leaves Flushing Meadows after a year where he advanced past the first round at a Grand Slam only once. The match will be remembered not just for the upset, but for the six minutes of pure bedlam that turned the tide.