Daniil Medvedev released a whole heap of frustrations by smashing the net camera and picking up yet another fine – but managed to avoid a shock first round exit by coming through in five sets 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 over Kasidit Samrej who was playing in his first ever ATP tour event.
Medvedev, a former World number one and triple runner up at this event, admitted he had no idea of what to expect from today’s match, but was happy to fight through and joked that he preferred to be tested rather than three straight sets.
“I didn’t know much about the opponent, so we had to find some matches in the internet with my team watching more. It was a top level from him, serving good, one break each set, just what you need to do to win matches. I’m happy that I managed to stay tough. I think, in my opinion, I didn’t play bad level. I played quite well and will for sure try to play better throughout the tournament.
I would be more pleased if it was three sets. It was more of a joke, but it is what it is. You are in a Grand Slam. You need to win. Two sets to one down is not an easy feeling. I was, like, I don’t want to be on the flight tomorrow.”
Medvedev took the first set in regulation fashion but was pegged back in the second. And then with World number 416 Samrej serving for the third set at 5-3, Medvedev was drawn forward during a rally which he eventually lost, before smashing and breaking his racket on the camera placed in the middle of the net. When asked how big his fine would be, he replied:
“Honestly, I hope not too big, because the fine is usually for breaking the racquet, and the camera is going to cost some, but I don’t think Go Pro is that expensive. What I have to say is the cameras was very, very strong, because my racquet didn’t handle the damage, but the camera did. It broke down, but there was not one piece going out from the camera. Very strong. I was very surprised.”
Medvedev has lost five set finals here to Rafael Nadal in 2020 and in last year’s event against defending champion Jannik Sinner. But he is drawing on his past results as fuel for motivation to do even better.
“100%, it’s big motivation because I played some of my best matches here. To be honest, the two finals I lost against Rafa and Jannik, I was playing unbelievable tennis. Maybe the tennis that I don’t play every time. So it’s a great motivation to try again, have the final, try to do better, be in two sets to love up. I will take it again and just try to finish it three, four, five sets, doesn’t matter. Big motivation to try to get the title, for sure.”
In his post-match on-court interview, Medvedev – the spontaneous but ever-charming crowd pleaser – joked that success meant money, girls and casino, but later sought to clarify his comments:
“I said whatever came to my mind. Success can be many things. Can be, you know, family, house, somewhere, where he wants. But if [Samrej] plays like he played today, it’s going to take time, but he’s gonna win a lot this year, be top 100. If he plays like today, he wins the next challenger.”
