Tennis
U.S. Open
live
Updated 14m ago
The 2025 U.S. Open singles are underway at Flushing Meadows, as Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka look to defend their titles at the final major of the year.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic joined Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz in claiming straight sets first-round wins on day one.
Then in the final match of a first opening Sunday in New York, Daniil Medvedev (13) was dumped out 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 4-6 by Benjamin Bonzi — who had looked set to win in straight sets when a photographer entered the court between his serves on match point.
Medvedev’s incitement of the crowd led to a seven-minute delay and a remarkable comeback from the Russian, before Bonzi eventually won in five sets.
When asked to summarize what took place on Louis Armstrong tonight, Benjamin Bonzi was nearly speechless:
💬 “I have no idea. It was crazy. I may have got some new fans, but also some new non-fans. The energy was wild. Thanks to all the ones were who were booing. Thanks for the energy at the end in the fifth set as well. It was a crazy match.”
The Frenchman was then asked how he stayed calm during the many treacherous moments that ensued during the match:
💬 “ I never experienced something like that. We waited maybe five minutes before the match point. Then it was so difficult to play, so noisy all the time during the points, between the points. It was a very wild atmosphere but I tried to stay calm, to stay in the match, but it was not easy.
“I gave all I had, all my heart on the court, and I got the win today.”
Advertisement
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a match like that.
From the bungled walk by a photographer between serves on match point, to the disgraceful intimidation of a chair umpire and then inciting of a crowd from Daniil Medvedev — without any consequences either.
One seven-minute delay and loss of his match points, and Benjamin Bonzi looked dead on his feet.
Yet somehow, he’s pulled off a remarkable win — and he still gets booed by half the crowd, for something that had nothing to do with him.
Meanwhile, Medvedev is smashing his racket to pieces for a good minute or so in two separate shifts before walking off while Bonzi gives his court interview.
A wild ride and in the words of Bonzi, wild energy too.
Daniil Medvedev just obliterated his racket in disgust after losing the match.
After the cameraman fiasco, he played some sensational tennis but his sportsmanship tonight was simply poor.
Final: Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, 4-6 Bonzi
Medvedev forces Bonzi into a corner before ripping a forehand to an unreachable spot. 15-0.
This is followed by a double fault. 15-15.
A spectacular drop shot from Bonzi forces his opponent to smoke a forehand long. 30-15.
Medvedev appears to be battling a cramp in his right hand but musters a strong serve and corresponding forehand winner. 30-30.
Another forehand winner gives Medvedev game point. 40-30.
Bonzi responds with pristine lob shot, forcing Medvedev to hit a tweener from the baseline that trickles into the net. Deuce.
A backhand by Medvedev sails long. Match point again for Bonzi.
He slaps a perfect backhand that Medvedev barely gets a racket on as the ball trickles toward the sideline.
Bonzi lets out a celebratory yell, celebrates in the middle of the court as the crowd cheers and eventually heads over to his box to embrace his team.
What a way to end Day 1.
That’s right, it’s only Day 1.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, *4-5 Bonzi
Game point from Bonzi after he rips a forehand behind Medvedev. He's rarely gone to that shot tonight.
The Frenchman follows it up with arguably his best forehand of the night, painting a shot along the line. Medvedev had nothing for that return.
Bonzi is a game away from winning this match again. Expect a strong response from Medvedev though.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, 4-4* Bonzi
Dominant game from Medvedev there, including a couple aces as we’re all tied up once again.
Advertisement
Are we going to get to the point where we’re thanking that photographer for giving us this match?
No. No we’re not.
But still, we might as well enjoy it while we’ve got it. Brilliant, dogged service game from Benjamin Bonzi there — who seems to be physically restricted to just cutting the ball up from either his first or second serves now.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, *3-4 Bonzi
Medvedev has triple break point but Bonzi battles back, aggressively playing at the net to make it 40-30.
A rare mistake from Medvedev in the second half of the match comes at a critical point, sending a forehand long. 40-40.
Bonzi returns the favor, continuing to rely on his backhand but this time he finds the net. Advantage Medvedev.
A 17-shot rally ends with a vicious forehand from Bonzi. Deuce.
He just cannot find momentum though as he sends a backhand long. Advantage Medvedev.
Wow, now a backhand from Medvedev sails long. We’re even again.
Another shot by Medvedev sails long, this time a forehand. Advantage Bonzi.
This time, he closes out the game as a lunging forehand by Medvedev flies wide.
While the drama earlier clouded this match and certainly will in the aftermath, to an extent, this is quite the tennis match.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, 3-3* Bonzi
What is this match …
Bonzi shows a lot of heart there to break Medvedev and get back on serve but he has a lot more work to do.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, *3-2 Bonzi
Just when it looked like Bonzi had a bit of momentum, he loses back-to-back games and now trails in this fifth set.
There have been way too many unforced errors from the Frenchman over the last half of the match.
I remember thinking this Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd — or at least the noisiest elements — would be with Daniil Medvedev from the moment he flipped for as long as he was behind.
Well, into the deciding fifth set now and Benjamin Bonzi has rediscovered his mojo. With that, all of a sudden he’s back in favor.
Although like Michael Charles says, at this point watching tennis fans just want the tennis to continue for as long as possible to keep their night going.
Fabulous.
Advertisement
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, *1-2 Bonzi
It’s better late than never but Bonzi has found another gear in this fifth set.
A long volley ends with a sensational winner. The Frenchman puts his hand to his ear, pleading the crowd to make some noise. It’s hard to tell who the fans are supporting at Louis Armstrong, almost seems like a portion of the crowd is just interested in instigating.
Barbara Cottrell has been in touch over email…
💬 “Daniil Medvedev should be disqualified and fined… I turned the TV off and will never watch another Medvedev match.
“And I may not watch the rest of the Open.”
It would be something if Benjamin Bonzi could still win this match. And whatever your view, it has created an incredible match.
Remember, you can send us in your thoughts — including the shenanigans on Louis Armstrong tonight — with an email to: live@theathletic.com
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, 1-1* Bonzi
Signs of life from Benjamin Bonzi and a gesture to the crowd as he breaks Daniil Medvedev.
He hit a couple of spectacular shots in that game which seemed to build some confidence.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, *1-0 Bonzi
Bonzi quickly goes down three break points but battles back, making it 40-30.
He tries to dig deep but simply cannot, double faulting to lose his serve.
Brutal.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0, 0-0* Bonzi
Clean sweep for Daniil Medvedev in the fourth set as his earlier tantrum continues to pay dividends.
Benjamin Bonzi was a point away from winning in straight sets and now it would be a surprise if he ended this match victorious.
What a wicked turn of events.
Advertisement
Secondly, Daniil Medvedev could be heard as he initially approached chair umpire Greg Allensworth at the start of the incident — asking him, “are you a man?” and questioning why he was shaking.
All attempting to intimidate, before he spoke into a microphone to suggest Mr Allensworth wanted to go home early — hence why he gave Benjamin Bonzi another first serve after the initial incident (although this was widely considered the right call).
Somehow there were no immediate recriminations for Medvedev. Maybe that will change once this match is over.
Benjamin Bonzi looks in a complete funk, which feels pretty unfair. I’m not sure the timeout has particularly helped.
Just a couple more points on the incident at the end of the third set that appears to have turned this match on its head…
Firstly, it’s hard to say how experienced the photographer who walked onto the court was merely from his appearance, but he certainly wasn’t young. You would expect some sort of reprimand would be forthcoming, given he has since been escorted from the arena.
Medvedev 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, *5-0 Bonzi
Bonzi has completely fallen apart, dropping the last seven games. He appears to have given up physically and mentally, almost wanting this match to just get to the final set.
This is tough to watch …