In the first round of the Australian Open, Daniil Medvedev broke a net camera while struggling to control his emotions during a thrilling five-set match against world No. 418 Kasidit Samrej.
After dropping serve in the third set, the irate Russian player smashed his racket five times into the net. However, he bounced back to win the match 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.
Medvedev’s emotional breakdown
Fifth seed Medvedev was given a code penalty for racket abuse for his tantrum, which also caused the match to be halted before the fourth set while personnel cleared the court of broken camera debris.
However, it seemed like Medvedev benefited from the incident as he regrouped during the intermission between the sets and dominated the game in the last sets.
Having known to play for five sets, Medvedev jokes: “I know that I play better when I play more tennis so I was like, ‘Why play one-hour-30 (minutes), minimum three hours to feel my shots better.”
With regard to his opponent, he added: “Second and third set I couldn’t touch the ball. Full power, everything in – I didn’t know what to do…. He plays like this every match, life can be good, money, girls, casino, whatever… I wish he can play like this every match.”
Highlights of the match
Samrej entered the tournament with incredible skill as he showcased serious firepower, with a bazooka forehand fired down the line earning two set points in the second set.
In the seventh game, the Russian had three break points, but Samrej stopped them all—two with drop shots and the third with a brilliant drop volley.
Medvedev soon found himself fumbling on serve, and after dropping the game due to a double fault that cost him two break points, he began his rackeet tantrum. Samrej lost two of four set opportunities due to poor serve-side drop shots, but he eventually broke through with a brilliant forehand down the line.
The Russian then reappeared with his game face on to level the playing field. In the fifth set, Medvedev proved unstoppable after regaining the momentum and won the match.
“At the end of last year, this match I probably would have lost it… Now it’s a new year and new energy … So I’m happy to win this match,” Medvedev remarked.
Source: CNA