A COLLISION with an on-court camera spelled disaster for in-form Daniil Medvedev on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) when he was stunned 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 by fellow Russian Andrey Rublev in their Western & Southern Open semifinal in Cincinnati.
Rublev will play Alexander Zverev for his maiden Masters 1000 title on Sunday (Monday in Manila) after the German downed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6 ,7-6 (4) in a thrilling second semifinal at the warm-up for the US Open.
Medvedev was top seed and favorite to take the title but was beaten for the first time by Rublev after crashing into an on-court camera and knocking it to the ground while chasing the ball at the baseline in the second set.
The world number two offered his hand to the camera operator as the chair umpire walked over to make sure both were okay. Medvedev then kicked the camera, telling the umpire, “Take it away. I almost broke my hand.”
Tournament organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Medvedev, who won the tournament in 2019, did not meet with the media on Saturday but Rublev said the incident had been concerning.
“Of course, in these moments it’s really dangerous. . . it’s not good for an athlete because he might get hurt,” he told reporters.
