Daniil Medvedev clashes with crowd in win over Christopher O’Connell at US Open - 'Are you stupid or what?'

Published 01/09/2023 at 13:28 GMT

Daniil Medvedev did not have things his own way after a tetchy four-set victory over the Australian Christopher O’Connell. The world No. 3 secured a 6-2 6-2 6-7 6-2 victory, and seemed irritated by the antics of the crowd. He was involved in an exchange with two fans who were taking their seats as he drew to serve, asking them: 'Are you stupid or what?'

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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.

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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.

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.

Daniil Medvedev talks to fans for being loud against Christopher O'Connell of Australia during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at USTA Billie Jean King National Ten

Image credit: Getty Images

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.

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