New York, Aug. 25 -- Under the New York lights, Benjamin Bonzi stunned 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev with a fluctuating 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 victory, a five-set thriller that turned Louis Armstrong Stadium into a theatre of chaos and redemption. The Frenchman, who had also beaten Medvedev at Wimbledon just weeks earlier, once again sent the Russian crashing out of a Slam in the very first round.
At 5-4 in the third set, Bonzi was serving for what looked like a straight-sets triumph. Then chaos broke in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
As Bonzi prepared for his second serve on match point, a photographer mistakenly stepped onto the playing area. The chair umpire ruled for the point to be replayed, granting Bonzi another first serve. Medvedev...