After a tumultuous start, last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev steadied himself to avoid an upset of monumental proportions against World #418 Kasidit Samrej to close the match 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Rod Laver Arena.
A Daniil Medvedev violently destroyed his racket and a net camera during a dramatic outburst on Tuesday before persevering through a five-set match to sidestep one of the biggest upsets in recent Grand Slam history on Tuesday. This was Medvedev’s first match since the ATP Finals in November, having arrived in Australia late to welcome the birth of his second child.
The Russian, a three-time finalist in Melbourne, lost his composure in the third set but managed to defeat the relatively unknown Thai player Kasidit Samrej, who appeared to falter physically in the Melbourne heat.
The former World #1 broke his opponent’s serve in the opening game and faced no issues in the first set, completing it in 30 minutes.
However, the Thai player, who earned his Grand Slam debut by winning the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff, refused to give in. He surprised Medvedev by breaking serve at 5-4 to win the second set and was in control in the third before Medvedev’s outburst.
Racket Rage
He found himself 3-5 down and on the verge of going two sets to one down when he erupted, smashing his racket into the net camera multiple times until both were left in ruins. Ball kids had to clean up the wreckage after he lost the game and the set, while the match was briefly halted as officials repaired the net.
The 28-year-old then showed how in tune he is with five-set matches in Melbourne, having played four and won three last year, as he regained his composure to seize the initiative in the fourth set as Samrej began to tire. An early break in the fifth set brought him closer to victory.
Medvedev, who has made it to three of the last four finals in Melbourne, will hope he doesn’t face similar resistance in his second-round match, which will be against another debutant, Learner Tien, who defeated Camilo Ugo Carabelli 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3 5-7 6-4 earlier.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
