Daniil Medvedev defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2, in the semifinals of the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships.
The Russian was in fine form, making light work of his Canadian opponent.
Medvedev has already won a final this year, at the Brisbane International, and will be looking to double his tally on Saturday afternoon in Dubai.
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But why has Medvedev been so effective at the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships?
Explaining why, Medvedev asked the ATP Tour for a favor.
Daniil Medvedev attributes Dubai success to faster court conditions
During his post-match interview, Richard Connelly asked Medvedev if that was a ‘vintage Medvedev performance’.
“If you give me some fast courts like they were before, maybe I can do something like this!” said Medvedev.
“But there are not many courts like this on the tour anymore.
“It was like this in Brisbane, and in Brisbane I played well.
“I’m happy to be able to play good, to serve well, when you don’t need to serve on two lines to make an ace.
“That feels great, and like an older [style of] tennis, a little bit.
“I’m happy with my level, happy with everything, and looking forward to the final.”
Medvedev and several other players have spoken out about the homogenisation of court speeds on the ATP Tour.
While different tournaments were once unique, fast or slow, most courts in the modern game have been slowed down, much to the disappointment of Medvedev.
But at the Brisbane International and Dubai Tennis Championships, Medvedev has been able to make use of the faster courts, reaching two finals.
Perhaps if the ATP Tour added quicker courts elsewhere on tour, we’d see the Russian return to world number one, a ranking he held for 16 weeks.
Daniil Medvedev’s time as world number one
| Player | Date beginning | Date ending | Weeks | Accumulative weeks |
| Novak Djokovic | August 24, 2020 | February 27, 2022 | 79 | 361 |
| Daniil Medvedev | February 28, 2022 | March 20, 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| Novak Djokovic | March 21, 2022 | June 12, 2022 | 12 | 373 |
| Daniil Medvedev | June 13, 2023 | September 11, 2022 | 13 | 16 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | September 12, 2022 | January 29, 2023 | 20 | 20 |
Medvedev can’t return to world number one, or even the top 10, with a win in Saturday’s final, but it would still be an important step in the right direction.
Having last won the Dubai title in 2023, when he didn’t drop a set all tournament, Medvedev was asked if his dominant form this week reminds him of his triumph three years ago.
“What was in the past doesn’t matter; what matters is right now,” he said.
“Right now, it was an amazing four matches, probably playing better and better with every match, today being the best performance.
Daniil Medvedev’s dominance in Dubai
- 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships 1R [WIN] vs Juncheng Shang, 6-1, 6-3
- 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships 2R [WIN] vs Stan Wawrinka, 6-2, 6-3
- 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships QF [WIN] vs Jenson Brooksby, 6-2, 6-1
- 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships SF [WIN] Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-4, 6-2
“So if I manage to put on an even better performance tomorrow, I have my chances to win, and that’s what I’m going to try to do.
“But the opponent is going to be very tough, of course.”
The Russian couldn’t avoid talking about his remarkable ATP Tour record, either, having never won the same tournament twice.
Connelly wondered if Medvedev had a celebration planned.
“No matter what you do, if you win or lose, the next morning, three or four, we leave to go to Los Angeles,” said Medvedev.
“Let’s see! I was not supposed to do anything, but now that you tell me, maybe I’m going to think about something.
“But the most important thing is to stay focused on the game itself, try to play my best tennis, and try to win like this.”
Medvedev will play Andrey Rublev or Tallon Griekspoor in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Saturday, February 28.
Daniil Medvedev makes Indian Wells case with Dubai form
As Medvedev mentioned, whatever happens in Saturday’s final, he’ll be off to the US within a couple of hours.
The 30-year-old will compete as the number-11 seed at Indian Wells.
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Medvedev isn’t necessarily a favorite to win, but going off his form this week, you’d be foolish to count him out.
After all, he’s a two-time finalist.
In fact, Medvedev has won 14 of his last 17 matches in California.
Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells since 2023
- 2023 Indian Wells – Daniil Medvedev lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final
- 2024 Indian Wells – Daniil Medvedev lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final
- 2025 Indian Wells – Daniil Medvedev lost to Holger Rune in the semifinals
There is, however, something that could thwart Medvedev’s title chances.
Indian Wells was one of the slower hard courts in 2025, which, as he’s spoken about at length, doesn’t suit his game.
If the tournament organisers haven’t sped the courts up, Medvedev could be in trouble…
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