Daniil Medvedev has survived a huge scare at the Australian Open, with the 2024 runner-up scraping into round two.
Medvedev is ‘perplexing’ to Spencer Segura, with the Russian currently occupying fifth spot in the ATP rankings.
Australian Open defending champion Jannik Sinner is into round two, having beaten Medvedev in last year’s final.
The Italian fourth came from two sets down to defeat the third seed in Melbourne, emerging victorious 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 from a five-set thriller.
And the Russian, who is the fifth seed this year, has just been involved in a similar clash in round one against Kasidit Samrej.
Daniil Medvedev booed by Australian Open crowd for racket smash
The Thai ATP number 418 led by two sets to one at Rod Laver Arena before Medvedev produced a comeback of his own to win 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Samrej endeared himself to the Australian Open crowd with his efforts, with the opposite to be said of his opponent.
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Having lost a key point in the final game of the third set, an enraged Medvedev took his frustrations out on the net, on which he smashed his racket several times.
His efforts focused on the small camera attached to the net, with the 2024 Australian Open finalist receiving a warning from the chair umpire for his actions.
Brad Gilbert speculates Daniil Medvedev punishment for on-court outburst
A three-time Australian Open finalist, Medvedev is one of the most experienced players at the event, with Samrej having been one of the least.
But it was the former who led his emotions get the better of him at Melbourne Park, emanating perhaps from 17 unforced errors across the second and third sets.
He did, however, manage to get the job done in the end, and can take relief in knowing that he played three five-set matches on his way to the 2024 final.
But his path to the latter stages doesn’t get easier, with rising star Learner Tien up next in the second round.
The American teenager has progressed through qualifying to make the main draw, having finished as runner-up in the NextGen ATP Finals last month.
Medvedev is certainly no stranger to an outburst, and will undoubtedly need to keep his emotions in check in round two, with Coco Gauff’s former coach Brad Gilbert speculating the punishment for his first round behaviour.
He wrote on X: “Wondering if besides the fine will Meddy get charged for that net camera that he shattered, probably expensive machine as well.”
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