WATCH: Was Daniil Medvedev lucky to escape Laver Cup default?

Oli Dickson Jefford
Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev dramatically threw his racket during his Laver Cup loss.

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”.

Shelton was clearly shocked in the aftermath of the incident, beckoning towards his opponent and umpire Mo Lahyani.

While it has been reported that his Team World teammate Frances Tiafoe – who he had played doubles with earlier in the day – went to speak to the tournament supervisors to ask why a default had not been given.

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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.

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