Daniil Medvedev destroyed a net camera as he fought his emotions in a five-set thriller against world number 418 Kasidit Samrej in the Australian Open first round.

Medvedev, a three-time finalist in Melbourne, furiously smashed his racquet against the camera in the middle of the net after falling behind in the third set.

The Thai wildcard was in sight of the biggest win of his career – and handing Medvedev the biggest defeat of his – on his Grand Slam debut.

But he started to struggle physically and Medvedev regained his composure to win 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.

The Russian fifth seed has made five-set matches a habit in Melbourne, with this his fourth in a row after blowing a two-set lead against Jannik Sinner in last year’s final.

“I know that I play better when I play more tennis, so why play one hour 30 [minutes]?” Medvedev joked on his on-court interview.

“It’s minimum three hours to feel my shots better and to have a good sensation.”

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

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

Just as Medvedev looked on course for his earliest exit in Melbourne since his Grand Slam debut in 2017, Samrej, who has never competed at an ATP Tour event before, 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.”