Media mishap sparks Medvedev meltdown as Russian exits US Open

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NEW YORK - The U.S. Open descended into chaos on Sunday when a photographer came onto the court as Daniil Medvedev faced match point, bringing the first-round match to a standstill and sparking a spectacular meltdown from the Russian.

Former champion Medvedev was eventually knocked out 6-3 7-5 6-7(5) 0-6 6-4 by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who threatened to walk off the court at one point and called for the Russian to be disqualified.

Serving for the match at 6-3 7-5 5-4, Bonzi was preparing to play his second serve when the photographer stepped onto the court surface.

The disruption led chair umpire Greg Allensworth to put Bonzi back onto his first serve, sparking an astonishing outburst from Medvedev.

Are you a man? Are you a man? Why are you shaking? the Russian shouted as he stormed towards the chair.

He wants to go home, guys, he doesnt like it here. He gets paid by the match, not by the hour.

Medvedev also repeatedly shouted, What did Reilly Opelka say? at the official in reference to the U.S. players call for Allensworth to be suspended after receiving a code violation at the Dallas Open for confronting a spectator.

The match was halted for about six minutes as jeers, whistles and boos rang out around Louis Armstrong Stadium, with fans refusing to stay quiet so Bonzi could serve.

The USTA said the photographer was escorted from the court by U.S. Open security and that his credentials had been revoked.

The chaos almost proved Medvedevs salvation.

After fending off the match point he broke to level the set at 5-5 before edging the tiebreak to force a fourth set.

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