Daniil Medvedev smashed a webcam in a fit of rage during his five-set Australian Open victory over low-ranked wild card Kasidit Samreja.
Medvedev, a finalist in Melbourne 12 months ago, arrived late in Australia after the birth of her second child and was in deep trouble against world number 418 Samrei.
When the 23-year-old won the third set to go two sets to one, fifth-seeded Medvedev repeatedly hit the middle of the net with his racket, destroying the camera attached there.
But like American teenager Nises Bavaredi, who handled Novak Djokovic on Monday, Samrej began to struggle physically and Medvedev fought back to win 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.
I know I play better when I play more tennis, said the Russian. “Why play for one hour 30? At least three hours.
“Second and third set, I couldn't touch the ball. Full power, all in. I didn't know what to do. If he plays like this every match, he can have a good life. Money, girls, casino.”
Medvedev pulled himself together and made it to the second round
Samrej earned his wild card by winning the Asia-Pacific Wild Card Playoff as he warmed up for his Grand Slam debut by training with Djokovic in Thailand last month.
Medvedev struggled in the second half of last season but hopes the new member of his family will inspire a change in fortunes with wife Daria, who gave birth to the couple's second child days before the Australian Open.
“It just gives me good energy,” he said. “At the end of last year, this match, I probably would have lost it. New year, new energy, at least for now. I'm happy to win this match.”
Holger Rune also needed five sets to get past China's Zhang Zhizhen, while another match that went the distance saw the veteran Gael Monfils won the battle of the French against his young compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricardo.
Mpetshi Perricard is one of the hottest young prospects on the tour and has sent down some distance the fastest serve of the tournament so far at 144.2 miles per hour.
But Monfils, who became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title in Auckland at the weekend, triumphed 7-6 (7) 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-7 (5) 6-4.
“I don't really look my age,” Monfils said. “It's just a number. Then I try to avoid thinking about it, but I can tell you tomorrow morning I'll be more like 48 than 38.”
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz he had a much easier time, beating fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-2 6-0 6-3, while Ben Shelton beat Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5 in a tight All-American clash to secure his first win of 2025.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream from NOW and through The Sky Sports app.