Two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock first-round exit on a dramatic opening day of the Championships, losing to French world number 64 Benjamin Bonzi in four sets.
The Russian world number nine was visibly furious after his 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 defeat, smashing his racquets against his chair and bag in frustration. It marks the first time in seven appearances that Medvedev has failed to reach the second round at SW19.
“I felt like I didn’t play too bad,” said Medvedev afterwards. “I don’t see much I could do better. I was surprised by his level… I’d be surprised if you find a match of him playing like this any other time this year. But it can happen. That’s when sensations happen.”
For Bonzi, the win was a career-defining moment. The 29-year-old not only ended a six-match losing streak on grass but also recorded his first ever victory over a top-10 opponent. He now faces Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the second round.
“This is special for me today,” Bonzi said. “It is my first top-10 win at a Slam and it is always special at this tournament. I love this place. Sometimes it is better to play those players in the first round, when anything can happen.”
Medvedev’s early departure was not the only surprise. Eighth seed Holger Rune squandered a two-set lead to lose against world number 143 Nicolas Jarry of Chile, going down 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in over three hours.
Meanwhile, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas was forced to retire from his first-round match due to a persistent lower back injury. The 24th seed, trailing by two sets to French qualifier Valentin Royer, called it quits mid-match.
“I’m battling many wars these days,” said Tsitsipas. “It’s really painful to see myself in a situation like this. I’ve done an incredible job with my fitness and physio, so I’ve maximised everything I possibly can. Right now, I’m absolutely left with no answers.”
Another notable casualty was 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini, seeded 32nd, who fell in five sets to Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak. The Italian lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, continuing a run of poor luck at the majors.
German third seed Alexander Zverev’s first-round match against France’s Arthur Rinderknech was suspended due to Wimbledon’s 23:00 BST curfew. The pair are level at one set all, with Zverev winning the second-set tie-break after Rinderknech missed a crucial set point.
Centre Court wasn’t the only venue for late-night drama. American fifth seed Taylor Fritz fought back from two sets down to level his match against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. After dropping the first two sets on tie-breaks, Fritz claimed the next two – 6-4 and via a fourth-set tie-break – before play was paused around 22:15.
Both the Fritz and Zverev matches are scheduled to resume on Tuesday as the tournament braces for more early drama and potential upsets.