Bonzi Stuns Medvedev in Dramatic U.S. Open Upset
By Asaad Khalil, Sharjah 24
New York – In a stunning turn of events at the U.S. open, France’s Benjamin bonzi ousted Russian 13th seed Daniil Medvedev in a captivating, and at times chaotic, five-set match. Bonzi secured the victory 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 0-6, 6-4 after a grueling 3 hours and 45 minutes of play.
The match reached a fever pitch in the third set, with Bonzi leading by two sets and holding a 5-4 advantage with a chance to close out the match. However, a bizarre interruption involving a photographer entering the court sparked a heated exchange between Medvedev and chair umpire Greg Alensworth.
As Bonzi prepared to serve for the match, Alensworth called a fault after the photographer’s intrusion. Bonzi requested a redo, citing the disruption. This decision ignited Medvedev’s fury. “Are you a man?” he reportedly challenged Alensworth, accusing the umpire of wanting to expedite the end of the match. He then directly addressed the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium, imploring them to voice their disapproval. ”He wants to go home, folks! He doesn’t like being here, he gets paid by the hour!”
The ensuing uproar brought play to a standstill for over six minutes. Bonzi eventually got a second chance to serve, but Medvedev fought off a match point and rallied to win the third set 7-5, extending the contest.
Medvedev dominated the fourth set, winning 6-0 and forcing a decisive fifth. However, Bonzi demonstrated remarkable resilience, breaking Medvedev’s serve twice to regain control. he ultimately secured the decisive break, winning the final set 6-4 and claiming a memorable victory.
“It was crazy. I may have gained some new fans, but perhaps also lost others,” Bonzi said following the match, acknowledging the controversial moments and the passionate reaction from the crowd.
“The energy was incredible. Thank you to everyone who fueled the atmosphere that gave me energy in the fifth set,” he added, expressing gratitude for the support he received despite the contentious circumstances.
The match will undoubtedly be remembered not only for Bonzi’s remarkable performance but also for the unusual drama that unfolded, raising questions about protocol and the role of umpires in managing disruptions during high-stakes competitions.
