Medvedev Falls Early as US Open Kicks Off with Upsets and Drama

New York, August 25, 2025 — The 2025 US Open opened with both expected wins and eye-popping surprises. The Grand Slam, now stretched to a 15-day format for the first time, highlighted its ambition to optimize scheduling and accommodate more action-packed matches.

Match Highlights: Top Seeds Advance

On the inaugural day, Aryna Sabalenka began her title defense in style, defeating Rebeka Masarova 7–5, 6–1. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic cruised past Learner Tien 6–1, 7–6(3), 6–2 — extending his streak to 75 consecutive first-round Grand Slam victories. Similarly, American hopes soared as Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton both won confidently, offering a glimmer of hope in the long-standing drought for a U.S. men’s champion.

Women’s returns also caught attention. Emma Raducanu, seeking redemption at Flushing Meadows, powered past Ena Shibahara 6–1, 6–2, while qualifiers like Janice Tjen and Alexandra Eala stunned seeded opponents to advance further — injecting fresh appeal into the tournament.

Medvedev vs. Bonzi: A Match to Remember

The day’s biggest shock came on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, the 13th seed, was ousted by French underdog Benjamin Bonzi in a gripping five-set thriller (6–3, 7–5, 6–7(5), 0–6, 6–4).

Play was disrupted when a photographer unexpectedly entered the court during a pivotal moment, triggering a six-minute stoppage and shared crowd outrage. Medvedev, visibly frustrated, later had a fiery exchange with the umpire and vented his rage by throwing his racket — a rare public display of emotion from the usually composed star.

Despite pushing back and winning the fourth set decisively, Medvedev succumbed in the final set as Bonzi fed off the raucous crowd energy. The victory marks yet another major upset in Medvedev’s poor Grand Slam year — he has now won just one match across four majors.

Looking Ahead

While Djokovic, Sabalenka, Fritz, Shelton, and Raducanu look steady, the early exit of Medvedev signals turbulence on the men’s side. The tournament promises intense competition as fans await whether giants hold firm or new stars emerge.