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

Daniil Medvedev’s hopes of being crowned the 2023 US Open champion are alive and kicking, but so is his spikey relationship with the Flushing Meadows crowd. The world No 3 progressed to the third round on Thursday after seeing off Australia’s Chris O’Connell in four sets, 6-2, 6-2, 6-7(8-6), 6-2. Having cruised through the opening two sets, the 2021 winner appeared to be on course for a routine straight-sets victory, but after letting a break of serve and a match point in the tie-breaker slip, he was pegged back a set by his lower-ranked opponent. By this point, there was no disputing who the New York crowd was backing with huge cheers greeting O’Conneel’s third set success. As the passion around the stadium continued to grow, spectators felt the wrath of the Russian after making a din before he was about to serve during the third game of the fourth set. The noise prompted an angry retort from Medvedev, who yelled: “Can you shut up guys?” That outburst only served to fire up the congregation even more as the atmosphere inside the Louis Armstrong Stadium turned white hot. But despite even greater support for O’Connell, the former world No 1 used his experience to close out the contest in the fourth set 6-2. Daniil Medvedev argues with the crowd during his second round match. (Image: Getty) Medvedev is no stranger to poor relations with fans at the US Open. In 2019, he reached the final despite being booed in a succession of matches along the way and was only too happy to play the role of pantomime villain. Speaking after an early-round victory against Spanish player Feliciano Lopez, the Russian said: “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 record at Flushing Meadows is a good one, which should act as a warning to the other big names left in the tournament. He was a finalist in 2019 and a semi-finalist in 2020, before finally lifting the trophy in 2021. He also boasts an overall win percentage before this year’s tournament of 82% at the hardcourt slam. Medvedev was the US Open champion in 2021 after beating Novak Djokovic. (Image: Getty) Victory against unfancied O’Connell was expected, but even Medvedev admitted that the Australian had upped his game in the third set. Medvedev said: “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 in the next round.