In a match that will be etched in tennis lore, Corentin Moutet, a French lucky loser ranked No. 59, delivered a jaw-dropping upset against former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. The quarterfinal clash, played under sweltering conditions on July 25, 2025, culminated in a dramatic 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory for Moutet, sealed by what many are calling the most electrifying match point of the year. The 26-year-old’s resilience, flair, and sheer audacity propelled him into his first ATP 500 semi-final, leaving the tennis world buzzing and Medvedev reeling in frustration.
The match, held at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center, was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Medvedev, the No. 8 seed and world No. 14, stormed through the first set 6-1 in just 24 minutes, breaking Moutet twice with clinical precision. His serve was dominant, landing 10 winners, and his net play kept the Frenchman on the defensive. But Moutet, known for his unpredictable style and court craft, refused to fold. “He’s like a magician out there; you never know what he’s going to do,” a spectator remarked, capturing Moutet’s ability to turn the tide with creativity. In the second set, Moutet capitalized on Medvedev’s struggles in the humid heat, breaking in the fifth game to lead 3-2. Despite Medvedev’s medical timeout for heat stress and a late break to level the set, Moutet held firm, clinching it 6-4 after Medvedev’s costly double fault in the 10th game.
The deciding set was a battle of attrition, intensified by a one-hour suspension due to lightning in the area when Moutet led 5-4. Both players had faced physical challenges—Medvedev battling heat exhaustion and Moutet grappling with cramps. Upon their return, the final game became a spectacle. Medvedev, serving to stay in the match, unraveled under pressure, committing three double faults, including one on the first point. Moutet, despite his own physical strain, seized the moment. On the third match point, the two engaged in a rally for the ages, dubbed by observers as “the most dramatic match point of the year.” Medvedev’s drop shot pulled Moutet to the net, where the Frenchman responded with a delicate lob. Medvedev countered with an overhead that clipped the net, giving Moutet a chance to flick a crosscourt shot. The Russian chased it down, but Moutet’s quick hands produced a stunning backhand volley, forcing Medvedev’s final forehand wide. “It was pure cinema,” a fan enthused, as Moutet collapsed to the court in celebration, his racket raised triumphantly.
Medvedev’s frustration boiled over post-match. The 29-year-old hurled his racket toward his bench, narrowly missing the umpire’s chair, and smashed a metal water bottle in a rare display of anger, drawing boos from the crowd. “Daniil just lost his cool; it’s not like him to unravel like that,” a courtside observer noted. The Russian, who had earlier defeated Yibing Wu and Reilly Opelka, was aiming for his 60th tour-level semi-final but fell short, leaving his 2025 title drought intact. His season, marked by a 25-14 record and early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, has been a struggle, compounded by fitness issues.
For Moutet, the victory was a career-defining moment. Entering as a lucky loser after Holger Rune’s withdrawal, he had already dispatched Alexandre Müller and Dan Evans in straight sets. This win, his fourth against a Top 20 player on hard courts, included earlier 2025 scalps of Holger Rune and Taylor Fritz. “Corentin’s got this knack for turning chaos into brilliance,” a fellow player commented, highlighting his ability to thrive under pressure. The triumph will see Moutet break into the ATP Top 50 for the first time, a testament to his growth at 26. He now faces either Alex de Minaur or Brandon Nakashima in the semi-finals, with a shot at his first ATP 500 final.
The match, lasting two hours and 25 minutes, showcased Moutet’s resilience and Medvedev’s vulnerability in the grueling D.C. heat. Despite Medvedev’s edge in winners (10 to Moutet’s 8) and net points, Moutet’s baseline tenacity and ability to win mid-range rallies kept him competitive. “I just kept fighting, even when my body was screaming,” Moutet said, reflecting on his cramps and the lightning delay. His unorthodox style, including an underhand ace in the final set, left the crowd in awe and Medvedev off balance. As Moutet continues his dream run, the tennis world is left marveling at a player who transforms setbacks into spectacles, proving that in Washington, even a lucky loser can steal the show.
Drama til the bitter end 😱
The moment @moutet99 reached the biggest semi-final of his career! #MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/Z7Y8edPyrd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 25, 2025
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