Video: Ernests Gulbis smashes racket in first-round match at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia -- It didn't take long for things to heat up for Ernests Gulbis at the Australian Open. After losing the first set 6-1 to No. 46 Juan Monaco, Gulbis found himself locked in a tight second set. At 5-4, deuce, Gulbis had an easy volley that sailed long to give Monaco a break point. He responded as one would expect -- he gave his racket the works, crunching it into the ground before stomping away.

The release seemed to help. Gulbis eventually won the set to level the match. He went on to win 1-6 6-4 7-6 (4) 6-2.

Watch Gulbis's gloriously destructive tendencies below. Welcome to the 2014 Grand Slam tennis season.