Medvedev, who lost to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the back-to-back finals in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and then to Jannik Sinner last year, took the first set against his Samrej 6-2
A difference of more than 400 ranking positions hardly mattered as three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev resorted to net-smashing in his Australian Open 2025 first-round match against unheralded Kasidit Samrej at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne on Tuesday (January 14, 2025). (Australian Open Live Updates | Tennis News)
Medvedev overcame a shaky start and a heated outburst to kick off his Australian Open campaign with a hard-fought win. The three-time Melbourne Park finalist narrowly avoided a major Grand Slam upset, battling back to defeat World No. 418 Kasidit Samrej 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round.
Medvedev steadied his game with characteristic resilience in the fourth and fifth sets, outlasting his opponent, who began to falter physically under the taxing Melbourne heat.
A win is a win, but Medvedev could face an $80k fine over his centre court outburst.
Medvedev, who lost to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the back-to-back finals in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and then to Jannik Sinner last year, took the first set against his Samrej 6-2.
But 28-year-old Russian, who is competing in the season-opening Grand Slam as a neutral, lost the plot against the world no. 414 from Thailand. He lost the next two sets, 6-4 and 6-3. During the closing stages of the third set, the 2021 US Open champion decided to smash his racquet into the net.
In the ninth game of the third set, Medvedev missed a passing shot from Samrej, and the world no. 5 responded by smashing his racquet into the net, multiple times. That left not only the racquet and net mangled but also destroyed the camera. His meltdown became a massive talking point on the third day of the Australian Open.
Samrej beat Japan's Rio Nogushi in the Asia-Pacific Wild Card Play-off in China to earn a ticket to the Melbourne gala. He is the first Thai man to feature in a Grand Slam main draw in 13 years, following legendary Paradorn Srichaphan and Danai Udomchoke.