Daniil Medvedev and Benjamin Bonzi played out a thriller in round one of the US Open, although their match was halted for nearly seven minutes after a photographer prematurely entered the court.
Bonzi was serving for the match at 6-3, 7-5, 5-4, with the interruption resulting in chair umpire Greg Allensworth handing the Frenchman another first serve.
He announced: “First serve. Ladies and gentlemen, because of the delay caused by an onside interference, first serve has been granted.”
Medvedev reacted furiously to Allensworth, creating a frenzy at Louis Armstrong Stadium, with fan noise delaying the restart.
ATP number 13 Medvedev went on to win the set, but Bonzi recovered to win the match 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5-7), 0-6, 6-4.
Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesUS Open make decision on photographer in Daniil Medvedev’s match with Benjamin Bonzi
The Russian has now exited the Grand Slam, while the Frenchman prepares for a round two meeting with American Marcos Giron.
It is also the end of the tournament for the photographer who caused the controversy in Medvedev’s first round match.
As confirmed by the United States Tennis Association (USTA), he was escorted from the court by US Open security, with his credentials for this year’s event revoked.
Daniil Medvedev confirms why he was upset after his early US Open exit
Medvedev superbly won the 2021 US Open, memorably defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in New York.
But he was some way off that level against Bonzi, who deserves huge credit for settling himself after the lengthy delay.
The former world number one was on hand to explain his actions after the match, with Medvedev saying: “I was not upset with the photographer.
“It was nothing special. Every time there’s a sound from the stands between serves, there is never a second serve.
“But well, that helped me get back into the match. It was a fun moment to live. I wasn’t upset with the photographer. I was upset with the decision.”
The Russian has now continued his drought on the ATP Tour into the US Open, having last lifted a trophy in 2023.
YearTitlesTournaments20235ATP Masters 1000 Rome (Outdoor/Clay)
ATP Masters 1000 Miami (Outdoor/Hard)
Dubai (Outdoor/Hard)
Doha (Outdoor/Hard)
Rotterdam (Indoor/Hard)20222Vienna (Indoor/Hard)
Los Cabos (Outdoor/Hard)20214US Open (Outdoor/Hard)
ATP Masters 1000 Canada (Outdoor/Hard)
Mallorca (Outdoor/Grass)
Marseille (Indoor/Hard)20202Nitto ATP Finals (Indoor/Hard)
ATP Masters 1000 Paris (Indoor/Hard)20194ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai (Outdoor/Hard)
St. Petersburg (Indoor/Hard)
ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati (Outdoor/Hard)
Sofia (Indoor/Hard)20183Tokyo (Indoor/Hard)
Winston-Salem (Outdoor/Hard)
Sydney (Outdoor/Hard)Daniil Medvedev ATP titles
Fans think Medvedev needs a break from tennis, which may be the best course of action for the 29-year-old after another very frustrating tournament.
He now has 26 wins and 18 losses for the 2025 season, having entered the US Open on the back of an opening defeat at the Cincinnati Open.
And his latest result has concluded a disappointing major season, with Medvedev’s second round run at the Australian Open representing his best result.