Daniil Medvedev's ongoing clash with the hostile crowds at the US Open has reignited this season after the Russian snapped at spectators at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
In his second-round clash against Australian Christopher O'Connell, Medvedev started at a blistering pace and raced to a two-set lead. However, O'Connell clawed back from match point down to take the match into a final set, which Medvedev eventually won 6-2.
Throughout the topsy-turvy encounter, tensions were high, and the crowd were firmly backing O'Connell, especially after he bounced back with a third-set win. The spectators whipped up plenty of noise before Medvedev was about to serve in the final set, which led to an outburst from the Russian towards the crowd.
"Can you shut up guys?"
"Are you stupid or what?"
Ultimately, Medvedev's confrontation did little to suppress the crowd's support for O'Connell. However, the US Open third seed was able to use this to his advantage as he closed out the match and progressed to the third round.
After hitting match point, Medvedev's attention turned straight towards the crowd. As he approached the net for the post-match handshake with O'Connell, Medvedev starred out members of the crowd sitting mid-way up the court.
The ongoing feud between Medvedev and the passionate crowd at Flushing Meadows is not a new development and there is a tarnished history in the relationship. In 2019, the hostilities began when the Russian was booed consistently on the way to his first Grand Slam final, which he eventually lost to Rafael Nadal.
But the hostile crowd has always played into Medvedev's hands. After a victory over Feliciano Lopez in 2019, the world number three explained how the negativity gives him the desire to win.
"The only thing I can say, the energy you're giving me right now, guys, I think it will be enough for my next five matches,"
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