Frenchman Bonzi knocks out former world No. 1 Medvedev in first round

The first shock upset on the grass courts of Wimbledon came on Monday, June 30, as the main draw of the tennis tournament got underway: Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, former world No. 1 and a two-time recent semifinalist at the event, was eliminated in his opening match by France’s Benjamin Bonzi.

World No. 64 Bonzi won in four sets, 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, against the current ATP No. 9. Medvedev, who won the US Open in 2021 and was a recent finalist on the grass courts of Halle, Germany. At 29, Bonzi claimed the second top-10 victory of his career.

On Court No. 2, Bonzi, who hails from Nîmes, started strongly, serving well and showing remarkable composure on big points (7-6, 7-2). Medvedev then raised his level, mixing up angles and increasing the power of his shots, and took the second set as anticipated (6-3). The third set proved decisive: Closely contested, it ultimately went to the Frenchman (7-6 [7-3]).

Valentin Royer advances after Stefanos Tsitsipas retires

Seizing his first chance to pull ahead in the fourth set, Bonzi relied on his excellent footwork to earn two match points (6-2). Medvedev, hampered by unforced errors, conceded defeat in the opening round. He totaled 12 double faults – compared to just one for Bonzi – and 47 unforced errors. The Nîmes native equaled his best result at Wimbledon.

Another French player through to the second round is Valentin Royer, who came through qualifying. The 24-year-old from the western Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine, ranked No. 113 in the ATP rankings, advanced after Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas, the tournament’s No. 24 seed, was forced to retire with a back injury. Royer was leading two sets to love (6-3, 6-2) after just an hour and 10 minutes of play. He will next face Adrien Mannarino (No. 123), who defeated Australia’s Christopher O’Connell (No. 77) in straight sets. This guarantees that at least one French player will reach the third round of the London tournament.

In the women’s draw, France’s Diane Parry, age 22 and world No. 118, progressed to the second round. On Monday, she overcame Croatian Petra Martic, ranked No. 138, in three sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2). She will face either Russia’s Diana Shnaider (the No. 12 seed) or Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, world No. 72, in the next round.