Three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev smashed his racket and a net camera in frustration after losing a set, but rallied to advance to the second round on Tuesday by outlasting wild card entrant Kasidit Samrej of Thailand.
The No. 5-seeded Russian earned a code violation for racket abuse as play was held up before the fourth set while workers swept up debris from the court.
“At the end of last year, this match I probably would have lost,” Medvedev said after his 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. “Now it’s a new year and new energy … So I’m happy to win this match.”
Elsewhere on Tuesday in Melbourne, American Taylor Fritz made a strong start in his bid to end a 22-year Grand Slam drought for American men.
The fourth seed stayed cool throughout his match against compatriot Jenson Brooksby, easing to a 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 win that showed why he is now considered best placed to end the USA’s long wait for a major men’s title.
Brooksby, returning from two years on the sidelines after having operations on both wrists and serving a 13-month doping suspension, fought until the bitter end but was no match for Fritz, who sealed the victory with his 34th winner.
It was plain sailing for former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina as she blitzed Australian wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-1 with new coach Goran Ivanisevic watching on impressed.
Danish 13th seed Holger Rune was pushed all the way to five sets and Emma Navarro also had a tough time in one of three all-American ties, the women’s eighth seed surviving a major scare to beat Peyton Stearns 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5.
Navarro was on the back foot for almost the entirety of her three hour, 20 minute clash on Rod Laver Arena with world No. 46 Stearns before rallying from a break down to win the final four games of the third set and claim victory.
“Crazy match today,” Navarro said after sealing the deal with an emphatic backhand winner.
In a French thriller on Court Three, experience got the better of potential as Gael Monfils edged Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-4, while there were also wins for 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, ninth seed Daria Kasatkina and former men’s world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini.
Women’s singles
Men’s singles
Contributing: Reuters
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