French tennis player Benjamin Bonzi pulled off a stunning upset at Wimbledon, defeating world number nine Daniil Medvedev in a tense four-set battle. The 64th-ranked Bonzi overcame the 2021 US Open champion 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 in three hours and seven minutes, marking his first career win over a top-10 opponent. The victory also sees Bonzi match his best Wimbledon result by advancing to the second round.
Medvedev, who had previously reached the Wimbledon semifinals in each of the past two years, failed to move past the first round at the All England Club for the first time in his seven appearances. The Russian was visibly frustrated after the loss, smashing his racquets against his chair and bag following the match.
Despite being favored on hard courts, Medvedev had hoped his recent grass-court results would translate into a deeper run this year, especially after early exits at the Australian and French Opens.
Bonzi, 29, credited the moment and the tournament atmosphere for his inspired performance. “This is special for me today,” he said. “It is my first top-10 win at a Slam and it is always special at this tournament. I love this place.” He added that facing elite players early in tournaments can sometimes be advantageous, as unpredictability often plays a bigger role.
Bonzi's victory also snapped a six-match losing streak on grass at the Tour level and sets up a second-round match against Australian Jordan Thompson. Meanwhile, elsewhere on the Wimbledon courts, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas retired injured after falling two sets behind against French qualifier Valentin Royer, bringing another early surprise on the tournament’s opening day.
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