Daniil Medvedev, a former world No.1, faced a stunning defeat to Italian Mattia Bellucci, ranked No.92, in the Rotterdam tournament. The match began with Bellucci surprising Medvedev by taking the first set 6-3, leaving the Russian star on the back foot.
During the second set, Medvedev attempted to play aggressively at the net, leading Bellucci to target him with a powerful shot to the body. This move, while not illegal, is generally frowned upon in professional tennis and caught Medvedev off guard. Despite a heated exchange, including a glaring stare from Medvedev, the Russian managed to win the second set in a tiebreak.
However, Bellucci remained resilient, clinching the third set 6-3 and securing the victory, the most significant win of his career. Medvedev exhibited visible frustration during the match, notably tossing his racquet after an unforced error. This loss marks another difficult month for the fifth seed, following an early exit from the Australian Open and a hefty fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. Additionally, he recently parted ways with his coach, Gilles Simon, indicating a turbulent period in his career.