Follow us on Google Discover Daniil Medvedev is through to the final of an ATP event for the first time since June after beating James Duckworth in the Almaty Open semifinals.
Medvedev conceded the first set to the Australian narrowly in a tiebreak, but fought his way back into the contest to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.
The Russian has enjoyed a promising start to life under a new coaching team so far, having recorded some impressive results following his appointment of Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke.
After his disappointing first-round exit at the US Open, Medvedev parted ways with longtime coach Gilles Cervara and hired Johansson and Goetzke.
Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images
Since then, he has advanced to the semifinals at the China Open and the Shanghai Masters and a final in Almaty.
With his triumph over Duckworth, he has also now joined 24-time Novak Djokovic in an exclusive club on the ATP Tour.
Daniil Medvedev joins Novak Djokovic after Almaty semifinal win
Medvedev has reached his 40th ATP final in Almaty, becoming just the second active player with such a tally, following Djokovic.
This season, the 29-year-old has only reached one championship match, which came at the Halle Open in the summer.
In Halle, he dropped just one set en route to the final and earned a win over world number three Alexander Zverev before falling to Alexander Bublik.
The last time Medvedev won a tour-level title was in 2023, when he hoisted the Italian Open title on the clay courts of Rome.
Now, he has the chance to end the drought, and he will be the favourite heading into the final in Kazakhstan.
Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesDaniil Medvedev reacts to his victory over James Duckworth
In his on-court interview after defeating Duckworth, Medvedev said: “I think the level was incredible today for both me and my opponent.
“On the tiebreak, I could have played better in some moments, but it happens.
“Throughout the match, I think there were some amazing points from both of us, so I’m really happy to be able to win this match and looking forward to tomorrow.”
Medvedev is the second seed at the Almaty Open, which marks his first tournament of the indoor hard-court season.