The US Open witnessed extraordinary scenes on Sunday when Daniil Medvedev’s first-round match against Benjamin Bonzi was thrown into turmoil after a photographer walked onto the court during a critical moment. The disruption came as Bonzi prepared to serve for the match at 6-3 7-5 5-4, forcing chair umpire Greg Allensworth to reset the point. The decision sparked fury from Medvedev, who stormed toward the umpire in a heated exchange, shouting: “Are you a man? Why are you shaking?” The Russian, already under pressure, accused the official of bias and mocked him by saying he was only interested in ending the match quickly.
The interruption halted play for nearly six minutes inside a restless Louis Armstrong Stadium, with spectators jeering and booing as security escorted the photographer out. Bonzi, visibly unsettled, even suggested Medvedev should be disqualified. The delay, however, momentarily revived the 2021 US Open champion, who saved match point and rallied to snatch the third set in a tiebreak before producing a dominant “bagel” fourth set to level the contest.
But despite the dramatic turnaround, Medvedev could not maintain his momentum in the deciding set. Both players traded multiple breaks as tensions rose, with sections of the crowd booing Bonzi during his service motion. In the end, the Frenchman held his nerve, sealing a 6-3 7-5 6-7(5) 0-6 6-4 victory with a stunning backhand winner. Medvedev’s frustration boiled over as he smashed his racket at the changeover, bringing a chaotic evening to a bitter conclusion.
For Bonzi, ranked 51st in the world, the result marked a third consecutive Grand Slam victory over Medvedev, all coming in the first round. “It was crazy. I may have got some new fans, but also some new non-fans,” he said afterwards. “We waited maybe five minutes before the match point and the atmosphere was so noisy. Thanks to all who were booing, thanks for the energy.”
The defeat makes Medvedev the first former champion to exit this year’s tournament and caps a miserable season in the majors, where he failed to progress beyond the second round in all four events. For Bonzi, meanwhile, the triumph stands as one of the biggest wins of his career, earned in front of a volatile New York crowd that will long remember the night chaos spilled onto the court.
