Daniil Medvedev was beaten by Ben Shelton in a crunch Laver Cup clash on Sunday – but should the Team Europe star have been allowed to complete the match?
Medvedev lost 6-7(6), 7-5, [10-7] to his Team World rival, but it was an incident towards the end of the first set that has attracted attention – and some controversy across social media.
Serving at 4-5 down in the tiebreak, Medvedev sent a forehand long to hand Shelton two set points – and proceeded to dramatically throw his racket across the court.
The incident was not broadcast live, but replays suggest the racket had bounced in or near the crowd after the former world No 1 had thrown it.
Medvedev was handed a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct but it had little initial effect, with the Russian then winning four straight points to claim the set, despite playing what he described to Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg as the “worst tennis of his career”.
The incident was not broadcast live, but replays suggest the racket had bounced in or near the crowd after the former world No 1 had thrown it.
Medvedev was handed a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct but it had little initial effect, with the Russian then winning four straight points to claim the set, despite playing what he described to Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg as the “worst tennis of his career”.
The incident and the loss end what has been a difficult Laver Cup campaign for world No 5 Medvedev.
He has failed to pick up a single point for Team Europe, falling to Tiafoe in his first singles match on Saturday before Sunday’s defeat to Shelton.
It was a second Laver Cup appearance for the 28-year-old, who made his debut for Team Europe back in 2021 – the last time Europe triumphed in the men’s team competition.
Action on Sunday had started with a much-needed win for Team Europe, with Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud pairing up to down Shelton and Tiafoe in an entertaining doubles clash.
That result saw Team World’s lead slip from 8-4 to 8-7, though Shelton’s win over Medvedev proceeded to restore his team’s four-point lead.
Le da igual que sea un Grand Slam o una exhibición
Medvedev nunca va a cambiar 🙈#LaverCupEurosport pic.twitter.com/JGHgufJwN6
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) September 22, 2024
Leave a Reply