Besieged tennis star's bizarre request to doctor

Aussie surprise packet Chris O'Connell's sudden comeback in a rollercoaster second round US Open clash had world No.3 Daniil Medvedev scratching his head, prompting a left-field request.

"Can I have what he had?" Medvedev asked a doctor after losing the third set at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

That question came in reference to O'Connell's mid-match medical intervention in which he received an inhaler from a doctor, having cited breathing issues.

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Nine commentator Todd Woodbridge noted O'Connell hadn't been well in the lead up to the match.

Daniil Medvedev talks to fans for being loud in his match against Chris O'Connell.

To Medvedev's request, the doctor replied, "Are you having those symptoms?"

"Well, I lost the set," the Russian tennis star replied.

The doctor explained why O'Connell had received an inhaler, prompting a comical response.

"I had trouble too, I want the same thing," he replied with a wry smile.

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His request fell on deaf ears.

The medical staff walked the tightrope between having a laugh and explaining the situation to Medvedev, and ultimately that he couldn't have an inhaler.

Medvedev went on to claim victory, taking it in four sets 6-2, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-2.

O'Connell mounts remarkable recovery

The win came after three hours, nearly an hour after his first opportunity to clinch match point in the third set came Medvedev's way.

"Tough match. I don't know why, but one moment in the match he decided to play better," said Medvedev.

"I played the same. I played the same from the first point to the last. He just decided at one moment to play much better. I don't know why what's the reason.

"It became tougher for me. It became much tougher. So I'm happy I was able to still hang in there. I had opportunities in the third set and I managed to use them in the fourth."

Medvedev's cheeky game-winning tweener

The match wasn't without a few doses of typical Medvedev drama.

At one point he addressed the crowd and said; "Can you shut up mate? For the last time."

He even slapped a camera away during the break after his third set loss.

He addressed the crowd post-match too, appearing to shoo at least one audience member after the win – waving his racquet. 

Medvedev will face Sebastian Baez of Argentina in the third round on Sunday.

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