‘Low IQ’: Medvedev takes aim at crowd after victory
Russian overcomes mercurial Aussie Nick Kyrgios, raucous Melbourne spectators to enter third round
MELBOURNE: Daniil Medvedev took aim at sections of the raucous Australian Open crowd following his entertaining victory over home hero Nick Kyrgios on Thursday, saying: “They probably have a low IQ.”
The Russian world No 2 took all that the mercurial Australian and the Melbourne spectators could throw at him to march into the third round.
The title favourite served out a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win over the 115th-ranked Kyrgios in 2 hours and 58 minutes.
It was a madhouse inside Rod Laver Arena with unpredictable Kyrgios dealing out all his assortment of underarm serves and tweeners before a partisan home crowd, while embroiled in a running battle with the chair umpire.
Calculating Medvedev dealt with it all to ease through and will now face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round.
But the 25-year-old was unhappy with the behaviour of some of the spectators.
In an on-court TV interview with former champion Jim Courier, Medvedev was asked how he managed to stay so composed.
“That’s the only choice when you get booed between first and second serve,” he said. “You have to stay calm and win the match.”
Things got a bit awkward when a section of the crowd continued to boo even as Courier tried to explain that the crowd might be saying “siuuu” instead.
“Sorry, I can’t hear you,” Medvedev replied before taunting the crowd. “Show some respect for Jim Courier. Thank you, guys. Let him speak please. If you respect somebody, at least respect Jim Courier.”
Courier replied: “I will come a little closer... what I think they have been saying is “siuuu” which is a thing when Ronaldo scores a goal. So I think that is what is going on. I don’t think they are booing you. I hope I am right on that.”
Expanding on the theme, he told Eurosport: “It’s not everybody doing it but people who are doing it probably have a low IQ.” Medvedev was more
impressed by Kyrgios.