Daniil Medvedev smashed an internet camera in a fit of anger during his five-set Australian Open victory over low-ranked wildcard Kasidit Samrej.
Fifth seed Medvedev reached the final for the third time at Melbourne Park 12 months ago but arrived late in Australia after the birth of his second child and was in deep trouble against the Thai world number 418. When Samrej won the third set to lead two sets to one, Medvedev repeatedly slammed his racket against the middle of the net, destroying a camera attached to it.
But, like American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy, who led Novak Djokovic on Monday, Samrej, 23, began to struggle physically and Medvedev fought back to win the first round match 6-2, 4-6, 3- 6. 6-1, 6-2.
“I know I play better when I play more tennis,” the Russian said with a sad smile. “Why play for an hour and a half? At least three hours. Second and third set, I couldn’t touch the ball. Full power, everything is in it. I didn’t know what to do. If he plays like this every game, his life can be good. Money, girls, casino.
Samrej earned his wildcard by winning the Asia-Pacific wildcard qualifier, while he warmed up for his Grand Slam debut by training with Djokovic in Thailand last month. Medvedev struggled in the second half of last season, but he hopes his newest family member will help turn around his fortunes.
“It just gives me good energy,” he said. “At the end of last year, that match, I probably would have lost. New year, new energy, at least for now. I’m happy to have won this match.
Holger Rune also needed five sets to beat China’s Zhang Zhizhen, while in another match that went the distance, Gaël Monfils won the French battle against his young compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Mpetshi Perricard is one of the most promising young prospects on tour and he delivered by far the fastest serve of the tournament so far, at 144.2 mph. But Monfils, 38, who became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title last weekend in Auckland, triumphed 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6 -7 (5). , 6-4.
“I don’t really look at my age,” Monfils said. “It’s just a number. Then I try to avoid thinking about it, but I can tell you that tomorrow morning I will be more 48 than 38.
Fourth-seeded Taylor Fritz had a much easier time, beating fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-2, 6-0, 6-3.
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