/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2025/01/14/XskNNcyv7qRdT3Xy03qn.jpeg)
Photograph: (Twitter)
Tennis star Daniil Medvedev has praised his first-round opponent Kasidit Samrej after playing out a five-setter in the opening thriller of the 2025 Australian Open on January 14, Tuesday. The 28-year-old tennis star had a terrific start to the game as he crushed Samrej in the first set of the game. However, the Russian suffered a big setback in the second and third sets against the Thai star. The star player again showcased his dominance at Melbourne Park and denied the victory of the opponent by winning the fourth and fifth sets of the game to make it to the next round.
Despite the win, fans will definitely remember how the world number 414 had made him frustrated in the game, especially when the Russian lost the second and third sets of the game.
I watched his matches and didn’t see this level, so I was surprised: Daniil Medvedev
Notably, Samrej failed to match the raised level of the game and faltered to a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 2-6 defeat. The 23-year-old Thailand star got a standing ovation from the crowd for putting up a great showdown against three-time Australian Open finalist in his Grand Slam main draw debut. In the same vein, Daniil Medvedev came forward and lavished praise on the Thai star with his amusing remarks.
Just @DaniilMedwed adding to his catalogue of classic post-match interviews 😭#AO2025pic.twitter.com/v0j8QCsO2d
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2025
Medvedev joined in and said, "I watched his matches and didn’t see this level, so I was surprised. If he plays like this every match, life can be good—money, girls, casino, or whatever. I wish he could play like this every match, but no if I’m facing him. You need to be consistent to make it in tennis, and I wish this for him."