Daniil Medvedev faced a challenging match against Australian Christopher O’Connell, as the world No. 3 secured a 6-2 6-2 6-7 6-2 victory. Throughout the game, he appeared to be annoyed by the behavior of the spectators. At one point, he engaged in a verbal exchange with two fans who were settling into their seats as he prepared to serve, questioning them, “Are you lacking common sense?”
Daniil Medvedev expressed his frustration with the crowd in his US Open second-round victory over Christopher O’Connell, directly calling on two fans to “shut up”.
The Russian voiced his displeasure as the pair of supporters walked to their seats as he stepped up to serve, with the situation escalating after one of them blew a kiss in Medvedev’s direction.
The world No. 3 laboured to a 6-2 6-2 6-7 6-2 win over the Australian O’Connell inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Medvedev had looked on course for a straight-sets win after leading 4-2 in the third set, but let that slip to 4-4.
The 2021 US Open winner then failed to take advantage of two match points in the resulting tie-break, as the world No. 69 took the match to a fourth set.
Medvedev’s class would eventually shine though, winning the fourth set 6-2 in a little over 45 minutes, but it would do little to improve the Russian’s mood.
The biggest rivalry in tennis right now: Daniil Medvedev v US Open crowds 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wF7ig8pqTY
— Eurosport (@eurosport) September 1, 2023
He left the ground seemingly irritated by someone else in the crowd and uttered a few more cursory words.
When asked if the ongoing friction between himself and the crowd helped him on the night, he replied in his on-court interview: “It depends, sometimes yes. Sometimes no. You can’t often know how it’s going to go. It’s kind of like a lottery.”
Medvedev is no stranger to controversy at Flushing Meadows, having experienced a tempestous encounter with Feliciano Lopez four years ago.
He yanked a towel from a ball person’s hands and receive a code violation in the process, before throwing his racket at the chair umpire. Medvedev would also be seen making an obscene gesture by flashing his middle figure.
Speaking after that five-set victory, he said: “First of all, what can I say? Thank you guys, because your energy tonight gave me the win.
“If you weren’t here, guys, I would probably lose the match. I was so tired. I want all you to know when you sleep tonight I won today because of you.
“The energy you’ve given me right now, guys, I think it will be enough for my five next matches. The more you do this, the more I will win for you guys. Thank you.”
Medvedev next takes on Argentinean Sebastian Baez.
