MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Daniil Medvedev used his racket to smash a tiny camera attached to the net at the Australian Open while he was trailing someone ranked 418th before eventually avoiding a monumental upset and winning 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.

Medvedev, who lost to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the back-to-back finals in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and then to Jannik Sinner last year, took the first set against his Samrej 6-2

Daniil Medvedev destroyed his racket and a net camera in a mid-match meltdown as he survived a huge scare against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej to reach the Australian Open second round on Tuesday.

Fifth seed and multiple Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev smashed his racquet in an epic meltdown in his first-round match on Tuesday. Medvedev threatened to be on the wrong side of the biggest upsets in tennis history before regrouping to beat Thai wildcard and world No.418 Kasidit Samrej 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in just over three hours.

Medvedev's wobble began in earnest when he squandered four break points at 3-3 midway through the third set, with Samrej then breaking in the next

Daniil Medvedev earns code violation for racket abuse before rallying past wild card entrant; Taylor Fritz carries U.S. banner forward.

Daniil Medvedev used his racket to smash a tiny camera attached to the net at the Australian Open before rallying to avoid being upset in the first round.