By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, February 27, 2026
Picture credit score: Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championship
Daniil Medvedev despatched one other exact go blurring by Felix Auger-Aliassime leaving the lanky Canadian trying like a commuter watching the final bus buzz by him.
Former world No. 1 Medvedev loves a goal and immediately he hit the mark to land his second Dubai remaining.
A masterful Medvedev dissected Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2 to advance to his forty second Tour-level remaining on the Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships.
It was Medvedev’s first Prime 10 win since he defeated No. 7 Alex de Minaur on the ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai in October.
The 2023 Dubai champion Medvedev will play for his second title of the yr tomorrow—and proceed his quest to change into a title two-timer. All 22 of Medvedev’s titles have come at 22 completely different occasions, if he wins Dubai it will likely be the primary time he’s gained the identical title twice.
The third-seeded Medvedev will tackle both good pal and 2022 champion Andrey Rublev or world No. 25 Tallon Griekspoor in tomorrow’s remaining.
At present, Medvedev delivered one among his most dynamic performances of the yr. Medvedev served 66 p.c, gained 23 of 26 first-serve factors, registered 5 love holds and didn’t face a break level in a one hour, 22-minute victory.
Flashing his fourth ace down the T, Medvedev stamped a love maintain for 5-4. It was Medvedev’s second love maintain of the match.
Centering a return deep down the center within the subsequent sport, Medvedev handcuffed the Canadian to succeed in 30-all. Although Auger-Aliassime dug out out a low forehand volley, he had no reply as Medvedev lofted a crazy operating lob the 6’4” Canadian couldn’t management for set level.
The pair went toe-to-toe on the baseline in a crackling 25-shot rally. Medvedev, who was grunting greater than he had your complete set, drew one remaining forehand large breaking to take a one-set lead after 44 spirited minutes of play.
Serving with command, Medvedev opened the second set along with his third love maintain—by then he’d gained 16 of his final 17 service factors.
Early within the second set, Auger-Aliassime, who wore white adhesive taping beneath his left knee, was typically bending over on the waist trying drained and gulping in air.
Within the fourth sport, Auger-Aliassime ended a punishing 27-shot rally with a forehand volley however netted a stretch volley to face deuce.
The mix of Auger-Aliassime’s heavy February schedule—he gained Montpellier and reached the Rotterdam remaining in an 11-1 begin to this month—and the low line pictures emanating from Medvedev’s Tecnifibre racquet took a bodily toll on the Canadian, whose backhand was flying at occasions.
The highest seed netted a backhand to face break level then flew a forehand making an attempt to hit behind the Russian as Medvedev broke for 3-1 after 66 minutes.
Losing no time between factors, Medvedev whipped a depraved T serve sealing a love maintain for 4-1.
Exacting passing pictures had been a vital component of this win. Medvedev lined a operating forehand go for double match level. On his second match level, Medvedev banged a backhand return winner down the road, his eleventh winner of the semifinal sealed it.
