Daniil Medvedev Declares He Can ‘Beat Any Opponent’ After ATP 250 Title Defense

Daniil Medvedev defended his title at the Almaty Open with a 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-3 win over Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili on Sunday (October 25). The victory marked his fourth title of the season.

Medvedev kicked off his campaign for the 2026 season in an emphatic fashion as he won the Brisbane International for the second time in his career. At the Australian Open then, he reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2024 US Open.

The former World No.1 took home another title when Tallon Griekspoor handed him the walkover in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Medvedev played back-to-back finals, reaching the stage in Indian Wells, only to lose to World No.1 Jannik Sinner.

But when the clay swing started, Medvedev only struggled as he reached just one semifinal (in Rome). His form issues continued during the grass swing, as well as on the North American hardcourt swing. Following his fourth-round exit at the US Open, Medvedev beat Andrey Rublev in the Hangzhou Open final, reached the semifinals in Beijing and Shanghai, before winning the Almaty Open.

If I can keep playing at the level I’m playing right now, I’ll have my chances to beat basically any opponent, and that gives you the chance to win tournaments. You can always face someone who plays well.

Daniil Medvedev said at the press conference

Medvedev will next be seen in action in Vienna. He will lock horns with Daniel Merida Aguilar in the opening round.

For example, Rafa [Jodar] played a great match against me in Shanghai. I won the match here, but Nikoloz played a great set against me. I managed to turn things around, but he was a set up. He could have won the second set, and the match would have been over. So the goal is to play well, and that way I’ll have the chance to beat them and maybe get something there.

Daniil Medvedev added

Medvedev has not yet qualified for the ATP Finals, which runs from November 15 to November 22. Two-time defending champion Sinner won’t play as he has already ended his season due to a knee injury.

Daniil Medvedev defends a title for the first time in his career

Before the Almaty Open, Daniil Medvedev had never defended a title. Last year in the ATP 250 event in Kazakhstan, the 30-year-old defeated Corentin Moutet in the final. Also this year’s Brisbane International was the first tournament he won for the second time in his career.

Today it’s a double feeling because, on the one hand, a title is always a title, whether you’re defending it or not, whether it’s in a new city or not, because it’s simply a great feeling. But it is very nice, because it had never happened to me before. It’s not, let’s say, a record that will last forever, but it’s the first time for me, and that’s always nice. And Almaty is a beautiful city, with great fans and a great tournament, so it’s the perfect place, so to speak, to defend a title for the first time.

Daniil Medvedev said at the press conference

Only three players have so far qualified for the ATP Finals: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Ben Shelton. The American ace has secured a spot for the second time in his career after making his debut last year.

It was Alcaraz whom Sinner defeated in the final last year. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not yet won this tournament.

Zverev is a two-time champion, winning in 2018 and 2021 by defeating Novak Djokovic and Medvedev, respectively. Medvedev won here in 2020 by beating Dominic Thiem.

Also read: Elena Rybakina Makes ‘Very Upset’ Comment After Defending Ningbo Open Title