The US Open delivered a historic image when Italian photographer Ray Giubilo captured a remarkable moment involving world number eight Jasmine Paolini.
Paolini’s Racket ‘Mask’
During her opening-round victory over Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava, Paolini briefly found herself hidden behind her own racket. The strings lined up so precisely that her eyes, nose and mouth appeared perfectly framed by the Yonex logo, creating what fans have dubbed the «Paolini mask».
Paolini, seeded seventh, won the match 6-2, 7-6(4) in one hour and 33 minutes. Yet it was not the scoreline that dominated headlines, but the still image that quickly spread across social media and international press, hailed as one of the most unusual photographs in tennis history.
Yonex, the Japanese brand whose logo completed the illusion, is a well-known manufacturer of equipment for tennis, badminton and golf.
Medvedev’s Match Interrupted
Elsewhere in New York, Daniil Medvedev’s contest with Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi took an unexpected turn when a spectator with a camera ran onto the court during Bonzi’s match point.
Play was halted as Medvedev argued with the umpire over whether the point should resume with a first or second serve. The crowd sided with Bonzi, chanting «second serve». The disruption rattled the Frenchman, who squandered both the match point and the set.
However, Bonzi eventually regained his composure and overcame Medvedev in five sets, despite the incident nearly swinging momentum the other way.
