Daniil Medvedev destroyed a net camera as he battled to control his emotions in a five-set thriller against world number 418 Kasidit Samrej in the first round of the Australian Open.
Medvedev, a three-time finalist in Melbourne, furiously smashed his racquet against the camera in the middle of the net after falling behind in the third set.
The Thai wildcard was in sight of the biggest win of his career – as well as handing Medvedev the most surprising defeat of his – on his Grand Slam debut.
But Samrej, who has never previously competed at an ATP Tour event, started to struggle physically and the Russian regained his composure to win 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The fifth seed has made five-set matches a habit in Melbourne, with this his fourth in a row after blowing a two-set lead against Jannik Sinner in last year’s final.
Medvedev began shouting at his coach as early as the second set before his emotions really came to the fore in the third when he went a break down.
Medvedev was given a warning by the umpire and will be fined by the tournament.
Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina needed just 53 minutes to reach the second round with a dominant win over Australian teenager Emerson Jones.
Rybakina, runner-up in Melbourne in 2023, served 11 aces and hit 26 winners in a 6-1, 6-1 win.
And Emma Raducanu overcame second-serve wobbles to start her 2025 season with a scrappy win in the first round.
The British number two, whose preparations were disrupted by a back injury, won 7-6, 7-6 against Russian 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
While hitting well from the baseline, Raducanu was hampered by double faults and lost serve six times.
The 2021 US Open champion hit 15 double faults, including a particularly-deflating one on break point when she looked to close out a straight-set victory.
English (US) ·