Daniil Medvedev kicks off with US Open crowd as long-running rivalry reignites

Daniil Medvedev’s hopes of being topped the 2023 US Open champion are alive and kicking, however so is his spikey relationship with the Flushing Meadows crowd. The world No 3 progressed to the third spherical on Thursday after seeing off Australia’s Chris O’Connell in 4 units, 6-2, 6-2, 6-7(8-6), 6-2.

Having cruised by the opening two units, the 2021 winner seemed to be on target for a routine straight-sets victory, however after letting a break of serve and a match level within the tie-breaker slip, he was pegged again a set by his lower-ranked opponent.

By this level, there was no disputing who the New York crowd was backing with large cheers greeting O’Conneel’s third set success. As the fervour across the stadium continued to develop, spectators felt the wrath of the Russian after making a din earlier than he was about to serve in the course of the third sport of the fourth set.

The noise prompted an offended retort from Medvedev, who yelled: “Can you shut up guys?”

That outburst solely served to fireplace up the congregation much more because the environment contained in the Louis Armstrong Stadium turned white scorching. But regardless of even larger assist for O’Connell, the previous world No 1 used his expertise to shut out the competition within the fourth set 6-2.

Medvedev isn’t any stranger to poor relations with followers on the US Open. In 2019, he reached the ultimate regardless of being booed in a succession of matches alongside the best way and was solely too completely happy to play the function of pantomime villain.

Speaking after an early-round victory in opposition to Spanish participant Feliciano Lopez, the Russian stated: “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. The more you do this, the more I will win, for you guys.”

Medvedev’s report at Flushing Meadows is an efficient one, which ought to act as a warning to the opposite massive names left within the event. He was a finalist in 2019 and a semi-finalist in 2020, earlier than lastly lifting the trophy in 2021. He additionally boasts an general win proportion earlier than this yr’s event of 82% on the hardcourt slam.

Victory in opposition to unfancied O’Connell was anticipated, however even Medvedev admitted that the Australian had upped his sport within the third set.

Medvedev stated: “Tough match. I don’t know why but one moment in the match he decided to play better. It became tougher for me. It became much tougher.”

The third seed will now face Argentina’s Sebastian Baez within the subsequent spherical.