From the French Open to the US Open, from clay to grass to hard courts, Bonzi has triumphed over Medvedev three times.

Many know the Russian player Medvedev well. He is among the rare 90s-born players to have secured a Grand Slam championship, and due to sharing his name with a former Russian president, he is nicknamed "Medvedev the General." The 2025 season proved to be a difficult chapter for him, as he won just a single match in all four Grand Slam events. However, one player defeated him twice at Wimbledon and the US Open, and also once at the French Open. So, who exactly is this player? Let this article guide you through the story.

The year 2017 was a milestone for Medvedev. That year, he reached his first career tour final. At the end of May, Bonzi appeared at Roland Garros as a wildcard entrant. In the first round, Bonzi faced Medvedev. Medvedev took the first set 7-5, seeming poised to advance. Yet, Bonzi fought back, winning the next two sets 6-4 and 6-1, coming within one set of victory. In the fourth set, while Bonzi was leading, Medvedev had to retire due to injury. Notably, this marked Bonzi’s first main-draw Grand Slam victory, which began with his win over Medvedev.

At the end of June, both Bonzi and Medvedev appeared at Wimbledon. Time had passed; Medvedev had already won a Grand Slam and even reached world No. 1. Bonzi had also claimed a tour title and recently reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the second time in his career, riding high on confidence. They met again in the first round. Bonzi took the first set in a tiebreak, gaining an early advantage. Medvedev responded by winning the second set 6-2. However, Bonzi didn’t give Medvedev any further chances and took the next two sets, securing his first main-draw win at Wimbledon in three years. This was also Bonzi’s first victory over a top-10 player in a Grand Slam. Objectively, Medvedev can be considered a lucky charm for Bonzi.

Yesterday, Medvedev and Bonzi both appeared at Flushing Meadows in New York. Recently, Bonzi had just reached the round of 16 at his first Masters 1000 event, while Medvedev had early exits in both the Rogers Cup and Cincinnati Masters, still struggling with form. Coincidentally, these rivals met again in the first round. Bonzi took the first two sets 6-3 and 7-5, with victory seemingly within reach.

In the third set, as Bonzi reached match point, an unexpected interruption occurred—a photographer suddenly entered the court, causing a six-minute delay. After play resumed, Medvedev seized the moment, pushing the set to a tiebreak, which he won, buying himself some breathing room. In the fourth set, Medvedev even delivered a 6-0 set, the first time in their three encounters that such a scoreline appeared. However, in the decisive final set, Bonzi ultimately prevailed, closing out the match 6-4 and securing the final victory.

From the French Open to Wimbledon to the US Open, Bonzi has now defeated Medvedev in three different Grand Slam events. Will he be able to beat Medvedev again at the Australian Open and complete a career Grand Slam sweep against him? Perhaps anything is possible. That’s the tennis story for today; stay tuned for more tomorrow.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yixin Jushi)