Australian Open 2025 results: Daniil Medvedev destroys camera in thrilling five-set battle against world number 418 Cassidy Samarez
Daniil Medvedev destroyed a net camera while struggling to control his emotions in a thrilling five-set match against world number 418 Cassidy Samarez in the first round of the Australian Open.
Medvedev, a three-time finalist in Melbourne, angrily hit his racket at the camera installed in the middle of the net after falling behind in the third set.
The Thai wildcard was close to the biggest win of his career – while also handing Medvedev the most surprising defeat in his Grand Slam debut.
But Samarez, who had never competed in an ATP Tour event before, struggled physically and the Russian won 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The fifth seed has made five-set matches a habit in Melbourne, his fourth in a row after blowing a two-set lead against Jannik Sinner in last year’s final.
“I know I play better when I play more tennis, so why play an hour and 30 (minutes)?” Medvedev joked during his interview on court.
“It takes at least three hours to feel my shots better and get a good sensation.”
Medvedev started yelling at his coach early in the second set, but his emotions really came to the fore in the third set when he went down a break.
After an unfortunate net cord went against him, Medvedev repeatedly hit the middle of the net, destroying his racket and camera.
The visual feed from the camera immediately cut out and a ball kid had to clean up the broken pieces.
Just as Medvedev was on his way to his earliest exit in Melbourne since his Grand Slam debut in 2017, Samarez faltered physically.
“In the second and third sets, I couldn’t touch the ball. All strength, everything, I didn’t know what to do,” Medvedev said.
“I watched his matches and I didn’t see his level, so I was surprised. If he played like this in every match, life would be good – money, girls, casinos, whatever.”
Elsewhere, fourth seed Taylor Fritz dropped just five games and recorded a dominant 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 win against fellow American Jenson Brooksby.
Gael Monfils, who last week became the oldest ATP Tour champion, won an all-French five-set thriller against Giovanni Maphetshi Pericard 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6- Achieved victory. 7 (5-7) 6-4.
