A frank Daniil Medvedev concedes he is often his own worst enemy on court, so the former world No.1 is making the most of a fresh mindset after reaching the Brisbane International final on Saturday night.
The top seed punched his ticket to the title match at the Queensland Tennis Centre for the first time since 2019 after an imposing victory over unseeded American Alex Michelsen 6-4 6-2.
Determined, unflappable and locked in from the get-go throughout four rounds, the 29-year-old has made clear his intentions of a top-10 return this week after a season largely below his usual high standards.
In his 41st career final, he will take on another unseeded American, Brandon Nakashima, a player he has beaten twice before.
“Last year, I didn’t manage to completely [focus] … I do get angry a lot of times on court, but I was getting [angry] a bit too fast,” he said. “It’s the first tournament of the year so easier to keep your focus, you’re not yet burned out or played a lot of matches.
“So I’m happy … I am on the court, I fight for every point. So far it’s been working. One more step tomorrow.”
Medvedev dropped his first set of the tournament in the quarterfinals against Polish lucky loser Kamil Majchrzak but steadied the ship for a three-set triumph on Friday night.
There was no such blip upon his return to Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday night. While broken once, he claimed 70 per cent of first-serve points and his 28 winners included nine aces.
“It was not easy at all,” he said. “One hour and 42 [minutes] for this court doesn’t reflect completely the match, but I’m happy in the most important moments.
“Today I managed to be better than Alex. That’s what you have to do to win the match. I’m super happy with the result.”
Perseverance pays as Nakashima reaches first final in three years
Nakashima remembers life as a teenager on the rise, bursting with excitement and free of the expectations that sets in once you’ve been around on tour a while.
Far from a tour veteran at age 24, the American’s self-belief took a hit after he tumbled outside the top 100 three years ago, but having held off compatriot Aleksandar Kovavevic at the Brisbane International for his first ATP final since 2022 on Saturday, his perseverance was finally paying off.
While his 29 winners paled in comparison to his flashier opponent’s 43, his miserly seven unforced errors to 24 proved the difference in his 7-6(4) 6-4 win in the first encounter between the two.
“Super tough match right from the beginning. Aleks and I are actually really good friends, we were practising a lot the last month or so,” Nakashima said. “It’s great to see him playing well at these kind of tournaments. For me, I’m really happy with the level I managed to play in the match today.”
Having stunned second seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening round, Nakashima has not suffered a letdown. He continued untroubled through wins over qualifiers Quentin Halys and Raphael Collignon.
Yet to drop a set all week, he will face either top seed Daniil Medvedev or another American Alex Michelsen for his second career title on Sunday.
“Alex also being from California, we’ve never played an official match but have practised numerous times the last month or so and Medvedev I’ve played a couple of times already,” he said. “He’s definitely got the edge over me, but it’s going to be exciting for sure so I’m looking forward to it.”
Four finals in two years, including titles in San Diego and the Next Gen Finals in 2022, had Nakashima earmarked to join the mix of top-20 American men knocking on the door, but a left knee injury and dented confidence transpired to stymie his progression in a frustrating following year.
After back-to-back seasons since in the top 40 – including a career-high mark of world No.29 last May – Nakashima was again poised to make his mark.
“My team and I, we put a lot of hard work in the last month or so, making sure the game was nice and tight leading up to these kind of tournaments,” he said. “We’re obviously really happy that it’s paying off the very first week of the year, but, you know, we’re going to try to keep going forward and continue to improve.”
Hewett to face De la Puente in wheelchair final
In the inaugural Brisbane International men’s wheelchair event, top seed Alfie Hewett reached the singles final after his opponent and doubles partner Gordon Reid was forced to retire injured after the opening set.
Hewett will meet second seed Martin de la Puente for the title on Sunday after the Spaniard defeated China’s Ji Zhenxu 6-3 6-4.
Due to Reid’s injury, Spain’s Daniel Caverzaschi and the Netherlands’ Ruben Spaargaren were handed a walkover for the wheelchair doubles trophy.
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. Tickets for the Brisbane International are on sale via Ticketmaster. Prices start at $30. Premium Experiences are on sale via Ticketmaster and the Premium Experiences Team.