Daniil Medvedev is back! The Russian is a player to beat, winning three titles within three weeks and rattling off 14 straight triumphs. After Rotterdam and Doha, Daniil claimed the trophy in Dubai following a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Andrey Rublev. The older Russian dominated from start to finish and beat his good friend in 68 minutes to earn his 18th ATP title. Medvedev and Rublev met for the seventh time, and Daniil scored his fifth win over Andrey, the first in over two years. Daniil fired nine aces and dropped eight points behind the initial shot, never facing a break point. The pressure was on Rublev, and he failed to deal with it. Andrey dropped half of the points in his games and experienced four breaks from seven chances given to his compatriot. Medvedev had a massive advantage in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, taming his strokes nicely and leaving the fellow top-10 player miles behind.
Daniil Medvedev claimed the Dubai title in dominant style.
Andrey squandered a game point in the encounter’s first game and experienced a break point after Daniil’s smash winner at the net. Rublev saved it with a volley winner but netted a backhand on the second break chance to push the rival in front. Medvedev made a convincing start in his games, delivering easy holds and firing a forehand down the line winner for 3-1. Andrey defended two break points in game five to remain within one break behind before Daniil grabbed the next one with a service winner. What he missed in game seven, Medvedev fixed at 4-2 with his second break, extending the lead and serving for the opener at 5-2.
Daniil fired a powerful serve in game eight for a hold at love and 6-2 in 36 minutes. Rublev recovered his strokes a bit at the start of the second set and stayed in touch until 2-2. Medvedev extended the fifth game with a mighty forehand and created a break chance after the opponent’s weak serve. Daniil seized it with a forehand crosscourt winner that pushed him 3-2 in front and closer to the finish line. The older Russian landed an ace in game six for a hold at love and a 4-2 lead, looking good to seal the deal soon after. Unable to pass Daniil’s defense, Andrey netted a forehand in game seven and faced break points. He sprayed another forehand error to fall 5-2 behind and allow his rival to serve for the victory. Medvedev fired a service winner in game eight for a hold at 15 and his third ATP title within three weeks.