Benjamin Bonzi pulled off a dramatic upset in the opening round of the US Open, defeating Daniil Medvedev in five sets after a tense, late-night match under the lights at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The drama began when a photographer sprinted onto the court to grab a shot as Bonzi stood poised to serve for match point, up 5-4 in the third. The gate was temporarily opened for the photographer to exit, and the chair umpire Greg Allensworth instructed him off the court. Bonzi was then awarded another first serve due to the delay, a ruling that sparked a furious reaction from Medvedev.
Medvedev’s reaction drew attention as he vented at the umpire and fired up the New York crowd, smashing his racket multiple times on the court and bench. The exchange became a defining moment of the match. “This is just Meddy being Meddy,” former US Open champion Andy Roddick offered in a post-match reflection, noting Medvedev’s history of notable meltdowns early in majors but eventual acceptance as the tournament progressed.
The on-court chaos didn’t derail Bonzi, who stayed in control and closed out a marathon five-setter. Bonzi took the opening two sets 6-3, 7-5, and despite Medvedev forcing a deciding fifth by winning the third set in a tiebreak 7-6(5) and sweeping the fourth 6-0, Bonzi returned to end the match with a 6-4 victory in the final set.
Medvedev’s loss comes as a stark reminder of the pressure-cooker environment at Flushing Meadows, where even the world’s top players can be unsettled by officiating decisions and the intensity of a night session. Medvedev, who won the US Open title in 2021, has had a durable career with deep runs at majors but now faces questions about consistency when emotions run high.
Bonzi’s victory is a bold opening statement for the Frenchman and a cautionary tale for Medvedev about keeping composure when the crowd and the spotlight are at their sharpest. The match highlighted not only a dramatic upset but also the broader emotional swings that tennis fans often witness late in big tournaments.
Key takeaways
– Bonzi defeats Medvedev in five sets after a controversial delay involving a photographer on court.
– Medvedev’s meltdown did not end the match; he battled back to force a fifth set but could not close it out.
– The incident underlines the mental aspect of the sport, especially in high-profile grand slam nights.
– American men showed strong early form in other matches, with players like Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz delivering convincing early-round performances.
Editorial notes for editors
– Caption options: “Bonzi celebrates after a tight five-set win over Medvedev at the US Open,” “Photographer on court delays play as Bonzi leads late in the third,” “Medvedev expresses frustration as the match shifts late.”
– Potential pull quotes: “This is just Meddy being Meddy,” to reflect the public reaction to Medvedev’s meltdown; “Bonzi stays composed to seal the upset.”
– SEO keywords to consider: US Open 2025, Medvedev vs Bonzi, Bonzi upset, photographer incident, Louis Armstrong Stadium, tennis meltdown, Grand Slam upsets.
Summary: In a night of high drama at the US Open, Benjamin Bonzi outlasted Daniil Medvedev in a five-setter that featured a dramatic court incident and a televised meltdown, underscoring the emotional intensity of major tennis competitions and setting the tone for an unpredictable tournament ahead. Positive takeaway: Bonzi’s resilience signals a compelling storyline as the Open progresses, while Medvedev has an opportunity to regroup and respond in subsequent rounds.