LONDON — In a stunning upset at Wimbledon, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev crashed out in the first round on Tuesday, falling to French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi in a five-set thriller. The 64th-ranked Bonzi, who had never previously advanced past the second round at the All England Club, delivered the biggest win of his career with a 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-4 victory.
Medvedev, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist (2021, 2022), struggled with consistency throughout the match, committing 48 unforced errors. Bonzi, meanwhile, played with fearless aggression, landing 62 winners and converting five of his nine break-point opportunities. The Russian’s early exit marks his worst Grand Slam result since the 2020 French Open, where he also lost in the opening round.
A Shocking Collapse for Medvedev
Medvedev, known for his tactical adaptability on grass, appeared out of sorts from the outset. Bonzi capitalized on the Russian’s slow start, breaking him twice in the first set. "I felt like I was playing well, but he was just better today," Medvedev admitted in his post-match press conference. "I couldn’t find my rhythm, and he took advantage of every mistake."
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Bonzi dictating play from the baseline. Medvedev’s usually reliable serve—which had carried him to the Halle Open final just weeks earlier—faltered, landing only 54% of first serves in play. Bonzi, a former top-50 player, seized the momentum, breaking Medvedev twice more to take a commanding two-set lead.
A Brief Fightback Falls Short
Medvedev finally found his footing in the third set, breaking Bonzi early and holding serve comfortably to extend the match. The fourth set went to a tiebreak, where the Russian’s experience shone through as he leveled the match at two sets apiece. However, Bonzi refused to fade, regrouping in the decider with relentless baseline pressure.
The Frenchman broke Medvedev in the fifth game of the final set and held his nerve to serve out the match, sealing the victory with a forehand winner. "I just believed in myself," Bonzi said afterward. "I knew if I stayed aggressive, I had a chance. Beating a player like Medvedev at Wimbledon is something I’ll never forget."
Key Factors in the Upset
Several elements contributed to Medvedev’s unexpected defeat:
- Serve Struggles: Medvedev’s first-serve percentage (54%) was well below his season average (65%).
- Unforced Errors: The Russian committed 48 unforced errors, compared to Bonzi’s 32.
- Net Play: Bonzi won 75% of his net approaches (21/28), exposing Medvedev’s reluctance to move forward.
What This Means for Medvedev
The loss is a significant setback for Medvedev, who had been considered a dark horse for the title. After reaching the semifinals in 2021 and 2022, his early exit raises questions about his grass-court form. "I need to analyze what went wrong," he said. "This isn’t the result I wanted, but I’ll come back stronger."
For Bonzi, the victory propels him into the second round, where he will face either Christopher Eubanks or Thiago Monteiro. The 27-year-old, who has battled injuries in recent years, called the win "the biggest moment of my career."
Conclusion
Medvedev’s early exit adds to a growing list of surprises at this year’s Wimbledon. With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner still in contention, the tournament remains wide open. As for Bonzi, his fearless performance serves as a reminder of the unpredictable drama that makes Wimbledon so special.
The Russian’s fans will hope this is merely a blip in an otherwise strong season, while Bonzi’s breakthrough could mark the start of a career resurgence. One thing is certain: Wimbledon 2024 has already delivered its first major shock.