Daniil Medvedev booked his place in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships after knocking out first seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Medvedev overcame the Canadian in straight sets convincingly, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the championship match at the ATP 500 event for the third time in his career.
The Russian has failed to drop a set in Dubai so far, with wins over Shang Juncheng, Stan Wawrinka, Jenson Brooksby and Auger-Aliassime.
What has been the best ATP match of 2026?
Tell us in the comments below!
After clinching the Brisbane International crown earlier this year, Medvedev is seeking his second title of 2026, and 23rd overall.
Following the victory, the former world number one was asked about his history in big finals, to which he gave a candid response.
Daniil Medvedev discusses his record in Grand Slam finals
Medvedev is 1-5 in Grand Slam finals, with the sole victory coming at the 2021 US Open, when he defeated Novak Djokovic to hoist the trophy.
- 2019 US Open final – Lost to Rafael Nadal
- 2021 Australian Open final – Lost to Novak Djokvoic
- 2021 US Open final – Beat Novak Djokovic
- 2022 Australian Open final – Lost to Rafael Nadal
- 2023 US Open final – Lost to Novak Djokovic
- 2024 Australian Open final – Lost to Jannik Sinner
Asked in his press conference after beating Auger-Aliassime how the losses have affected him over the years, he replied: “I think it really depends the moment of your life when it happens. I basically lost five Grand Slam finals. It’s a bit of experience (smiling).
“Some I lost were, like, honestly a boost of confidence to even play better after. I won some tournaments straight after losing the final.
“Some were a bit tougher, where for a different reason I kind of took it worse, like on myself, maybe a bit too hard on myself, et cetera.
What is the best Grand Slam in tennis right now?
“Right now, to be really honestly, if you ask me to remember, I will start to remember some points from there, maybe some moments I could do better.
“In general, I really don’t care much. I don’t remember them because I’m very focused on I’m 11 in the world now, how do I get back into the top 10, how do I try to get back into these Grand Slam finals.
“If I only think about the ones I lost, it will not lead me anywhere and I will have regrets. I have no regrets I feel like in my career. That’s it.
“I hope I can have more finals to discuss, if it’s a win or a loss. Hopefully, it can be a win.”
Daniil Medvedev comments on his bizarre ATP titles streak
Each of Medvedev’s 22 titles on the ATP Tour has been won in a different city, but that streak could come to an end in the final on Saturday, as he has captured the crown in Dubai before.
Discussing the streak potentially coming to an end, Medvedev said: “It would be cool. It would not be something crazy. If it would be maybe US Open, that would be a bit crazy.
“Every tournament I play I try to win. I find it even very surprising that I never won somewhere twice because I kind of now, especially in my career, tend to repeat the tournaments. I start to know what tournaments I like. I just repeat them year in, year out.
“But I always said, look, I tried. Tomorrow I’ll try to make it two somewhere. I will not be disappointed if the streak ended.
“Just going to feel great to win the tournament. It’s not going to feel any more special. Just a bit fun to win, finally a second one somewhere.”
Medvedev last won the Dubai title back in 2023, when he beat compatriot Andrey Rublev in the final.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
