'I Watched His Matches And Didn't See This Level' - Daniil Medvedev Survives Australian Open Scare - UBITENNIS

‘I Watched His Matches And Didn’t See This Level’ – Daniil Medvedev Survives Australian Open Scare

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read
Daniil Medvedev - Foto Giampiero Sposito

Daniil Medvedev avoided a shock exit from the Australian Open on Tuesday after coming through a five-set encounter against a player ranked outside the top 400.

The three-time finalist was sternly tested early on by Thai wild card Kasidit Samrej before clawing his way back to win 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, after more than three hours of play. Samrej is only the third Thai player to contest a Grand Slam singles match in the Open Era and incredibly Medvedev was the first top 50 player he has faced on the Tour. Drawing a high level of praise from the Russian who dictated proceedings towards the closing stages as his rival began to struggle physically.

“I know that I play better when I play more tennis. So I was like, Why play one hour 30? I need a minimum of three hours at least to feel my shots.” Medvedev joked.

“The second and third set I couldn’t touch the ball. I didn’t know what to do.”

Medvedev, who has never lost a Tour-level match to somebody ranked outside of the top 300, revealed he studied Samrej’s game before their encounter but was still caught off guard. The underdog hit 34 winners, which was 14 less than the former world No.1, along with a costly 69 unforced errors.

“I watched his matches and I didn’t see this level, so I was surprised.” He said.

“If he plays like this every match. His life can be good. Money. Girls. Casino, whatever.

“If he doesn’t, then he’s not going to have it. Maybe not in tennis but he’s going to make it otherwise.

“I wish he could play like this every match.”

Tuesday’s encounter was the first ATP match Medvedev has played since the ATP Finals in November after starting his season slightly later than some of his rivals. He has been kept busy away from the court with his wife giving birth to their second child. He also has a two-year-old daughter.

It is possible that a lack of match play in recent months contributed to Medvedev’s latest performance. However, he doesn’t foresee any changes to his schedule in the foreseeable future.

“I’m probably never going to play a lead-up tournament (to the Australian Open) unless they move it, because I have two kids now.” He states.

“I want to stay at home for the New Year and Christmas. Even if I love Australia, every new year in Australia is starting to get tough. So I like to come here a little bit later.

“But it only gives me good energy. At the end of last year, I probably would have lost this match because I wouldn’t be able to concentrate and fight till the end.

“Now it’s at least the new year. New energy. At least for now. Hopefully for all the season. So I’m happy to win this match.”

Medvedev will next play America’s Learner Tien.

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