The 2025 Australian Open nearly witnessed a monumental upset in the opening round, as No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev narrowly avoided a shock exit against world No. 418 Kasidit Samrej. In a rollercoaster five-set thriller, the Russian’s frustrations boiled over as he smashed a TV camera attached to the net, before staging a remarkable comeback to prevail 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Medvedev’s Camera-Smashing Meltdown
Trailing by two-sets-to-one against the unheralded Thai wild card, Medvedev lost his cool in the final game of the third set. After losing a 13-stroke rally to fall behind 40-15, the 2021 US Open champion unleashed his fury on an unsuspecting net camera:
Medvedev went up to the net and brought his racket forward with full force five times, breaking his equipment while shattering a small black camera and sending pieces of it flying.
The outburst earned Medvedev a code violation for racket abuse, but it also seemed to light a fire under the Russian as he steamrolled through the final two sets to avert the upset.
Near-Historic Upset
A loss to the 418th-ranked Samrej would have made ignominious history for Medvedev. It would have been the biggest upset by ranking in a Grand Slam since the ATP rankings began in 1973, surpassing No. 234 Alex Kim’s shock victory over No. 4 Yevgeny Kafelnikov at the 2002 Australian Open.
Medvedev’s Escape Act
After the camera-smashing incident, Medvedev flipped the script on his unheralded opponent. He reeled off 12 of the last 15 games and 61 of the final 94 points to secure his spot in the second round. The 24 aces and 34 unforced errors were a far cry from Samrej’s 69 miscues.
In the end of last year, this match, I probably would have lost it. New year, new energy.
– Daniil Medvedev
The mercurial Russian acknowledged his fortuitous escape, suggesting that 2024’s version of himself likely would have succumbed to the Thai upstart. But with a new year comes renewed determination for the three-time Australian Open runner-up.
Samrej’s Breakout Performance
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Samrej announced himself as a player to watch with his fearless shotmaking and poise under pressure. The 28-year-old journeyman had never faced a top-80 player before, let alone a top-five talent like Medvedev.
I watched his matches, and I didn’t see this level, so I was surprised. If he plays like this every match, his life will be good.
– Daniil Medvedev on Kasidit Samrej
Earning his way into the Australian Open main draw through the Asia-Pacific wild card playoff, Samrej certainly made the most of his Melbourne moment. His inspired play against Medvedev is sure to boost his confidence and profile as he aims to climb the rankings.
Medvedev’s Wake-Up Call
For Medvedev, surviving the first-round scare could prove to be a blessing in disguise. The world No. 5 has spoken openly about his struggles to find motivation and consistency since capturing his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open.
- Fell to Rafael Nadal in epic 2022 Aussie Open final
- Failed to make a major final in 2023 or 2024
- Dropped from world No. 1 to No. 5
Perhaps being pushed to the brink by an unsung wild card is the wake-up call Medvedev needed to rediscover his uncompromising best. With his prodigious power and defense, the rangy Russian remains a title threat on the Melbourne hardcourts where he has experienced so much heartbreak.
As Medvedev targets a second week surge, he will undoubtedly look back on his great escape against Samrej as a turning point. The racket-smashing catharsis may have exorcised the demons of an up-and-down 2024 campaign and steeled his resolve for the battles ahead.
The 2025 Australian Open nearly lost one of its leading men at the first hurdle, but Daniil Medvedev refused to be relegated to a shocking statistic. With a reinvigorated sense of purpose, the mercurial Russian survives to fight another day and remind the tennis world of his prodigious yet turbulent talent. The tournament just got a whole lot more interesting.
