Former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev was belted and then beaten by the world’s No.92 in a shock Rotterdam result on Thursday.
Italian underdog Mattia Bellucci took the first set 6-3 in their round of 16 clash to put the Russian superstar on the ropes.
It was on serve during the second set when Medvedev opted to come into the net, prompting his opponent to smack the ball directly towards him.
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Medvedev managed to get racquet on it and return the ball, and was standing at the net in the middle of the court when Bellucci powered up his backhand.
Daniil Medvedev of Russia gestures against Mattia Bellucci. Getty
The Italian had the option to hit it either side of Medvedev, but instead aimed straight at the Russian’s body and belted the ball as hard as he could.
While the act is not illegal it is often frowned upon between professional players.
Medvedev gave a death stare to Bellucci and prominent tennis journalist Jose Morgado noted, “He didn’t have to hit the body there… Medvedev is not losing this match now”.
That prediction looked on point when Medvedev went on to win the second set in a tiebreak.
Mattia Bellucci of Italy plays a forehand. Getty
But Bellucci managed to stay composed and won the third 6-3 to claim the biggest scalp of his career.
Medvedev looked to lose his composure during the third set when he lost a point on an unforced error, and then bizarrely tossed his racquet high in the air before it crashed to the court.
It’s been a rough month for Medvedev.
The No.5 seed was knocked out of the Australian Open in the second round by unheralded teen American Learner Tien.
He was later fined a total of $122,000 for various outbursts during the tournament in Melbourne.
And earlier this week he announced he had split with coach Gilles Simon.
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