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Third seed Danill Medvedev has fumed over crowd chanting at the US Open, continuing his long-running feud with the New York crowd.
Key points:
- Daniil Medvedev defeats Chris O'Connell to advance to the third round of the US Open
- The Russian had an interaction with fans, asking them to be quiet while he was serving
- Medvedev has a history with crowds at the US Open, infamously in 2019 when he was constantly booed
The Russian secured his place in the third round with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-7(8-6), 6-2 victory over Australian Chris O'Connell.
The Russian looked on course for a straight sets victory but let a break of serve and then a match point in the third set tiebreaker slip.
The crowd was firmly behind the unseeded Australian, with the passionate crowd making noise before he was ready to serve the third game of the fourth set.
"Can you shut up guys?" he yelled at the crowd, who immediately got on the Russian's back.
The crowd intensified their support for O'Connell, but Medvedev was able to refocus and secure victory.
Medvedev has a history of crowd interactions in New York.
His march to the final in 2019 was overshadowed by booing from fans, which the Russian played into.
"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," he said following a victory over Spain's Feliciano Lopez.
"The more you do this, the more I will win, for you guys."
O'Connell shows fight in loss
O'Connell was unfancied against the former US Open champion, and early on was no match for the third seed.
He was outplayed in the opening two sets and was down a break early in the third set.
But the Australian was able to break Medvedev's serve in the eighth game, to get the set back on serve.
O'Connell survived two break points in the 11th game — including a cross-court forehand winner to win the game — which ultimately went to a tiebreaker.
Medvedev gave the Aussie a reprieve when serving for the match at 6-4, committing his second double fault of the set.
O'Connell held his nerve as a wayward backhand from Medvedev at the net brought the tiebreaker level at 6-6.
An ace from O'Connell and another double fault from Medvedev forced the match into a fourth set.
O'Connell again showed class to open the fourth set but gave up a vital break in the fourth game.
The Australian had saved three break points, but could not deny Medvedev on his fourth attempt, when a backhand failed to get over the net.
O'Connell had a massive chance in the seventh game, with three break points against the Russian.
But Medvedev's class was to much for the Australian, who secured the game and then closed out the match.
The Russian was full of praise for O'Connell after the match.
"Tough match. I don't know why but one moment in the match he decided to play better," he said.
"It became tougher for me. It became much tougher."
Medvedev will play Argentina's Sebastian Baez in the third round.
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