Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed and 2021 Australian Open finalist, endured a dramatic five-set battle against Thai underdog Kasidit Samrej, narrowly escaping an upset in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open. Medvedev prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in a grueling match that lasted over three hours.
Medvedev’s Rocky Start Against Inspired Debutant
Samrej, ranked world No. 418, pushed the former world No. 1 to the brink in what was his Major debut. Training with Novak Djokovic in December seemed to pay off for the Thai player, who displayed fearless hitting and tactical brilliance in the second and third sets to take a surprising two-sets-to-one lead.
Medvedev, who arrived in Melbourne late after becoming a father for the second time, showed rust in the early stages of the match, compounded by limited practice. However, the Russian used his experience and skill to rally back and avoid an early exit.
Statistical Breakdown: Medvedev’s Serve Saves the Day
Medvedev’s serve was a major weapon throughout the match. He fired 24 aces, winning an incredible 91% of points behind his first serve (53/58). While his second serve was also effective, Samrej’s aggressive play kept the Russian on edge for much of the match.
- Winners and Errors: Medvedev struck 48 winners to 34 unforced errors, a sharp contrast to Samrej’s 70 unforced errors that proved costly.
- Break Points: Medvedev converted six of 13 break opportunities, while Samrej capitalized on two of his chances, both in sets he won.
Set-by-Set Recap
First Set: Medvedev dominated the opener, breaking Samrej twice for a quick 6-2 win in just 30 minutes. The Russian capitalized on his opponent’s nerves, forcing errors and holding serve comfortably.
Second and Third Sets: Samrej found his rhythm, delivering clutch serving and fearless groundstrokes. Medvedev saved two break points in the second set but couldn’t fend off the Thai’s charge at 4-5, with Samrej taking the set 6-4. In the third set, Samrej broke Medvedev late and held his nerve to claim it 6-3, stunning the crowd and putting himself in control.
Fourth Set: Facing elimination, Medvedev regrouped. He broke Samrej twice, storming through the set 6-1 with clinical precision. His frustrations earlier in the match culminated in a rare outburst, as he smashed a net camera, drawing a code violation.
Decider: Medvedev’s superior fitness and consistency proved decisive in the final set. He broke Samrej early, controlled the rallies, and raced to a 6-2 victory, sealing the match with an ace.
Post-Match Reactions
Medvedev praised his opponent’s performance, acknowledging the challenge of facing a fearless debutant.
“Kasidit played incredibly well, especially in the second and third sets. I had to fight hard to find my game and stay in the match,” Medvedev said. “It’s not easy coming here after the past week, but I’m happy to get through.”
What’s Next for Medvedev?
While Medvedev survived the scare, his next-round opponents will take note of his vulnerability in this match. The Russian will need to sharpen his game if he hopes to contend for the title. Meanwhile, Kasidit Samrej’s fearless performance earned him admiration and put him on the radar as a rising talent.