Daniil Medvedev destroys camera attached to net during tough win at Australian Open

CNN
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Daniil Medvedev smashed a camera attached to the net with his racket during a difficult victory in the opening round of this year’s Australian Open.

The world number 5 finally defeated the Thai Kasidit Samrej in five sets – 6:2, 4:6, 3:6, 6:1, 6:2 – but was against an opponent who is ranked 418 in the world. increasingly frustrated.

At the end of the third set everything was boiling for Medvedev and Samrej took the lead 2-1.

In a tense moment, Samrej was lucky when his shot hit the net, forcing Medvedev to change direction and sprint for the ball. The Russian star made it in time but, now off balance, was unable to do anything about Samrej’s subsequent cross-court winner.

As Samrej apologized for his lucky shot, Medvedev took out his frustration on a small camera in the middle of the net, breaking both the camera and his racket.

The referee then warned Medvedev for misusing his racket.

The 2021 US Open champion dropped the third set as Samrej, a wildcard for this tournament, moved one step closer to the biggest win of his career in his first Grand Slam event.

However, the 23-year-old was not to succeed after Medvedev regained his composure and secured a thrilling five-set win.

During his on-court post-match interview, Medvedev appeared to be in good spirits and made no mention of his temper tantrum at the end of the third set. Instead, he said how surprised he was by his opponent’s level.

“If he plays every game like that, his life can be good – money, girls, casino, whatever,” he joked. “I wish he could play every game like that.”

Medvedev, a three-time finalist and last year’s runner-up at the Australian Open, will now face 19-year-old American player Learner Tien in the second round.