(VIDEO) Adrian Mannarino bizarrely smashes racquet on his head and makes himself bleed in United Cup match

A curious incident unfolded during the 2024 United Cup in the match between Italian player Lorenzo Sonego and Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. After the first set, the Frenchman led 6-4, but Sonego was applying pressure and was on the verge of securing a break in the second set.

Former Australian tennis player Wally Masur, who was providing commentary on the television broadcast, criticized Mannarino during the match: "If [an injury] is self-inflicted, can you have a timeout? You can’t injure yourself, can you?" Masur remarked. "Let’s say you’re in a tricky situation, you go, ‘Right, I’m going to bash myself with a racket and get a breather,’" he added.

The 32-year-old Frenchman ultimately clinched the victory over Lorenzo Sonego with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-4, putting his country ahead in the series. The second match was also a triumph for the French, as Caroline Garcia battled against Jasmine Paolini and secured the decisive victory at 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Nevertheless, the mixed doubles were played, with Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin notching up France's third win with a score of 7-6(5), 6-4.

The first quarterfinal series have already been played. In the clash between Poland and China, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz had no trouble overcoming Zhang Zhizhen and Qinwen Zheng, advancing to the semifinals in the upper part of the main draw.

On the lower side, Team Australia caused an upset against Serbia. In the opening match, Alex de Minaur handed Djokovic his first defeat in Australia since 2018 (6-4, 6-4), and then Alja Tomljanovic easily defeated Natalija Stevanovic (6-1, 6-1).

France will face Norway in the quarterfinals, led by the 3-times Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud. The Norwegians will be represented by Malene Helgo in singles and Ulrikke Eikeri in doubles. The winning team will then face Poland in the semifinals. The last country to advance to the semifinals will be determined between Greece, represented by Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Germany, led by Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev.