Medvedev rallies into Almaty final with eyes on elusive title

In the echoing arena of the Almaty Open, Daniil Medvedev turned a tense semifinal into a statement of resilience, rallying from a first-set stumble to defeat Australian qualifier James Duckworth 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-2. This victory marks his first hard-court final since last year, a surface that amplifies his flat groundstrokes and precise returns amid the indoor tempo. The second seed’s path now leads to Sunday’s championship against either Corentin Moutet or Alex Michelsen, where the stakes blend personal redemption with season-defining qualification pressure.

Overcoming early passivity in the tie-break

Medvedev entered the match with the weight of recent semifinal successes in Beijing and Shanghai, but the opener tested his composure as Duckworth’s steady play forced a tie-break. A slightly passive approach there saw him squander two set points, his returns drifting crosscourt too safely while the Australian countered with deep, probing shots that disrupted rhythm. Yet the Russian absorbed the loss, resetting his mindset to inject aggression, using serve-and-forehand one–two patterns to reclaim control and build toward dominance.

As the sets progressed, Medvedev‘s adjustments sharpened: he targeted inside-out forehands to pull Duckworth wide, opening the court for down-the-line backhand winners that exploited any hesitation. The crowd’s murmurs built into cheers with each escalating rally, the air thick with the snap of strings on fast hard courts. By the third set, his serve had locked in, delivering 15 aces and winning 85 per cent of first-serve points on 47 of 55 deliveries, a stat that captures his tactical evolution under duress.

Building momentum toward Turin qualification

This Almaty run strengthens Medvedev’s hold at 13th in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, fueling his bid for a seventh consecutive appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals. The former world No. 1 has channeled frustration from six straight final losses since his 2023 Rome Masters 1000 triumph into focused play, his baseline probing now laced with psychological edge honed over grueling weeks. Duckworth’s qualifier grit forced spectacular exchanges, but Medvedev’s patience wore it down, turning potential vulnerability into a surge that resonates through the standings.

Reaching his 40th tour-level final underscores his endurance, making him the first player born since 1990 to hit that mark and the second active man after Novak Djokovic with 143. The milestone highlights a career of sustained excellence, even as the title drought tests his resolve amid the season’s closing push.

Milestone for Meddy @DaniilMedwed is the first player born since 1990 to reach 40 Tour-level finals!@AlmatyOpen_KZ | #AlmatyOpen pic.twitter.com/0MECCt50Fy

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 18, 2025

Final promises tactical and emotional reset

With Kazakhstan’s hard courts suiting his penetrating style, Medvedev anticipates a decider where his return game could neutralize Moutet‘s slice and underspin or Michelsen‘s inside-in power. The atmosphere pulses with anticipation, lights casting long shadows on a surface that rewards his crosscourt depth and serve precision. A victory here would not only end the slump but ignite his late charge, transforming Almaty into the pivot that carries him into Turin’s elite field with renewed fire.