Medvedev began shouting at his coach as early as the second set before his emotions really came to the fore in the third when he went a break down.

After an unfortunate net cord went against him, Medvedev repeatedly whacked the middle of the net, destroying his racquet and the camera.

The visual feed from the camera immediately cut out and a ball kid had to sweep up the pieces that had broken off.

Medvedev was given a warning by the umpire and will be fined by the tournament.

“What I have to say is the camera was very, very strong,” Medvedev, 28, said afterwards.

“My racquet didn’t handle the damage but the camera did.

“When I saw the racquet I was like, time to get a new one. I hope the fine is not too big – I don’t think GoPros are that expensive.”

Just as Medvedev looked on course for his earliest exit in Melbourne since his Grand Slam debut in 2017, Samrej faltered physically.

“Second and third set, I couldn’t touch the ball. Full power, everything in, I didn’t know what to do,” Medvedev added.

“I watched his matches and I didn’t see his level, so I was surprised. If he plays like this every match, life will be good – money, girls, casino, whatever.”