Daniil Medvedev capped off a stellar week at the Brisbane International by becoming the first top seed to win the title since Roger Federer on Sunday.
The Russian world No.13 rallied his way to a 6-2, 7-6(1) triumph over Brandon Nakashima to win his 22nd ATP title at his 22nd different event. Medvedev, who dropped his serve only once in the match, produced a total of 24 winners against 23 unforced errors. He has become only the third active player on the ATP Tour to win 20 or more hardcourt titles after Novak Djokovic (72) and Jannik Sinner (21).
Medvedev’s resurgence in recent times has been overseen by coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, who are well established on the Tour. Johansson is a former player who won the 2002 Australian Open. Meanwhile, Goetzke has mentored Richard Krajicek to the 1996 Wimbledon title and worked with Mario Ancic.
“By not being in Turin (at the ATP Finals) last year, I had a couple weeks more preparation with the new team, which helped, and I’m happy to kind of start it strong after the good preparation,” said Medvedev.
“I for sure have been playing very well at the end of the season. I think I made six out of the last seven tournament quarters, a lot of them to the semis, two titles. So I’m happy with the way I was playing, and I know that when I’m playing good, there are not that many players that can beat me easily or at all.” He added.
The former world No. 1 will be hoping his success continues into the Australian Open, where he will be eager to end his run of poor results at major events. Last year, he failed to win back-to-back at all four Grand Slams for the first time since 2017.
“Last year was not easy; it was a little bit turbulent, and changing the team helped. So I’m happy with it,” he said.
“I haven’t played a Grand Slam yet with the new team. If I lost the first round in the Australian Open but playing like here (in Brisbane), I would be surprised.”
Bublik seals milestone in Hong Kong
In Asia, Alexander Bublik kicked off his season by winning the Hong Kong Open to secure his debut in the world top 10 on Monday at the age of 28.
The Kazakh upset top seed Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(2), 6-3, to claim his fifth Tour trophy since June and his ninth overall. Bublik produced a total of 34 winners, which included 10 aces. It is the first time he has beaten a top 10 player on an outdoor hardcourt since the 2024 Dubai Open, when he got the better of Andrey Rublev.
“I have no words,” said Bublik.
“I mean, the only goal for this season was towards the top 10 and the first week I am winning the title.”
Bublik’s triumph extends Musetti’s disappointing record in finals, with Hong Kong being the seventh he has lost in a row since winning the 2022 Naples Open. In comparison, Bublik has won eight out of his last nine finals played since June 2023.
“I mean, top 10, if you told me that last April, I would never have believed you,” he commented.
“But for me, standing here is a big pleasure and I hope to continue the same way.”
Like Medvedev, Bublik was born in Russia but has represented Kazakhstan since 2016.
