Medvedev suffers shock first-round Wimbledon exit
Two-time semi-finalist Daniil Medvedev took his frustration out on his racquet after he suffered a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon.
The Russian world number nine lost 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to the 64th-ranked Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi before slamming his racquets against his chair and his bag.
It is the first time Medvedev, who made the last four in the past two years, has failed to reach the second round in seven Wimbledon appearances.
It was a first ever victory over a top-10 ranked opponent for Bonzi, 29, who has matched his best Wimbledon result by reaching the second round.
Medvedev said: "[It's] tough, I mean, sad. I felt like I didn't play too bad. I don't see much I could do better.
"I was surprised by his level. I know that he can play well. I would be surprised if you find a match of him playing like this any other time this year. I'm surprised he did today. But it can happen. That's when sensations happen."
Medvedev was not the only men's seed to fall on day one as Danish eighth seed Holger Rune lost a five-setter and Greece's Stefanos Tsitispas retired injured.
Medvedev is a former US Open champion and has reached a further five major finals.
While the 29-year-old is regarded as a hard-court specialist, his recent results at Wimbledon offered confidence he could improve on his first and second-round exits at the Australian Open and French Open respectively earlier this year.
But Bonzi dominated key tie-breaks in the first and third sets before racing clear to victory in an impressive four-set finish after three hours and seven minutes.
Bonzi, whose unexpected win ended his six-match Tour-level losing streak on grass, will play Australian Jordan Thompson next.
"This is special for me today. It is my first top-10 win at a slam and it is always special at this tournament. I love this place," said Bonzi.
"Daniil is a great player. I knew it was a tough match but sometimes it is better to play those players in the first round, when anything can happen."
