Former Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev faced a challenging start to his 2023 campaign, narrowly defeating world No. 418 Kasidit Samrej in a gripping first-round match at Rod Laver Arena. The fifth seed ultimately triumphed with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, after a grueling three-hour and eight-minute contest. Samrej, who trained with Novak Djokovic in December, showcased his skills during the match, notably outplaying Medvedev in the second and third sets before the more experienced Russian regained control to avoid a major upset.
Despite arriving in Melbourne late after the birth of his second child, Medvedev demonstrated resilience and determination against an inspired opponent. He excelled on his serve, delivering an impressive 24 aces and winning 53 of 58 points on his first serve. However, he found himself trailing two sets to one due to Samrej’s strong performance, which included 48 winners against Medvedev’s 34 unforced errors. Samrej’s aggressive play allowed him to capitalize on two break points in the sets he won, but he ultimately struggled with consistency, committing nearly 70 unforced errors over the course of the match.
The match began with Medvedev in commanding form, quickly taking the first set 6-2. However, Samrej rallied in the second set, displaying remarkable grit and determination to level the match. The Thai player continued his momentum into the third set, taking a 2-1 lead before Medvedev fought back to claim the fourth set decisively. In the final set, Medvedev’s experience shone through as he broke Samrej’s serve early and maintained his lead, ultimately sealing the match with an ace to secure his spot in the second round. Medvedev’s victory sets the stage for a challenging tournament ahead as he aims for a deeper run in Melbourne.
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