Melbourne, Australia, Jan 14 (EFE).– Daniil Medvedev staged a dramatic comeback to defeat World No. 418 Kasidit Samrej in five sets, while Matteo Berrettini and Gael Monfils advanced in an eventful Day 3 at the Australian Open.
Medvedev, the three-time Australian Open finalist, averted a stunning first-round upset, rallying to defeat Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Medvedev, ranked No. 3, leaned on his experience to claw back after losing the second and third sets.
This was his fourth consecutive five-setter at Melbourne Park, dating back to his quarterfinal victory over Hubert Hurkacz last year.
“I know I play better with more tennis,” Medvedev quipped. “Why play just 90 minutes when you can spend at least three hours finding your rhythm?”
Elsewhere, Italian Matteo Berrettini breezed past Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. In his first Australian Open appearance since 2022, Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, showed dominance on serve with 32 aces and saved all five break points he faced.
“It’s great to be back. Last year, I watched from home, and it wasn’t easy,” Berrettini said. He now faces Holger Rune, who also needed five sets to advance.
Gael Monfils produced another five-set thriller, defeating compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-7(5), 6-4 in just under four hours. Monfils saved two match points in the third set, one on a double fault, and secured his 20th career fifth-set win.
“I don’t think about my age,” said Monfils, 38. “But tomorrow, I’ll feel more 48 than 38,” he joked.
Lorenzo Musetti also endured a four-hour battle, edging Davis Cup teammate Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3. Despite leading 5-2 in the first set and 3-1 in the fourth, Arnaldi couldn’t sustain his momentum.
In other men’s matches, Hubert Hurkacz downed Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.
On the women’s side, eighth seed Emma Navarro outlasted Peyton Stearns 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-5 in a grueling three-hour, 20-minute contest – the longest women’s match so far.
Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini cruised past Chinese qualifier Wei Sijia 6-0, 6-4 in just over an hour, while Amanda Anisimova secured her second-round spot with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Maria Lourdes Carle. EFE
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