Medvedev overturns the dark horse to reach the final for the second time this season; could this be the end of his 29-month title drought?

Just now, the first men's singles semifinal at the ATP250 Almaty tournament concluded, with 2nd seed Medvedev prevailing in three sets 6-7(8) 6-3 6-2 over Australian qualifier and dark horse Duckworth, marking the 40th time in his career he has reached a tour final. This victory not only secured Medvedev's second final appearance this season but also made him the first player born after 1990 to reach 40 ATP tour finals.

Before the match, many expected Medvedev to advance comfortably. Although his world ranking has slipped to 14th, he recently made consecutive semifinals in Beijing and Shanghai, showing steady improvement in form.

His opponent Duckworth is ranked only 138th globally and his breakthrough from the qualifiers was already a surprise. Medvedev had also been solid in earlier rounds, defeating Walton and Marosan without dropping a set.

Looking at their head-to-head history, this was not their first encounter. They previously met in the third round of the 2021 Toronto Masters, though that match is somewhat dated and less relevant now.

Technical analysis before the match suggested Medvedev held a clear advantage with his powerful baseline shots and rich experience, while Duckworth would rely on his serve and net play to create chances.

However, it is worth noting that Duckworth had already eliminated Hugo Blanchet, defending finalist Gabriel Diallo, and Flavio Cobolli in this tournament, demonstrating formidable momentum.

At the start, the match was tightly contested. Both Medvedev and Duckworth held their service games resolutely in the first set, with no break points. The tiebreak was fiercely competitive, and Duckworth edged it 10-8 to take the opening set.

Viewers in the live chat commented: “Duckworth is playing so tenaciously,” and “Medvedev’s first serve percentage isn’t great today.”

During the set break, Medvedev looked serious and exchanged glances with his team, clearly unhappy with the first set outcome.

In the second set, Medvedev quickly regained composure, showcasing the resilience expected of a top player. His service games improved in consistency, and he began to find openings in Duckworth’s serve.

Midway through the set, Medvedev broke serve to lead 4-2. Fans in the live chat remarked, “The skill gap is showing,” and “Medvedev is finally getting into rhythm.”

As the match progressed, Medvedev’s baseline power was on full display, hitting 37 winners while committing only 14 unforced errors. He took the second set 6-3, leveling the match.

In the decisive set, Medvedev completely controlled the pace, breaking Duckworth’s serve multiple times to quickly build a 4-0 lead. In the crucial fifth game, after several deuces, he converted his fifth break point to seal the break.

One viewer commented on the live platform: “That break was pivotal, totally shattering the opponent’s mental defense.”

Ultimately, Medvedev gave his opponent no chance for a comeback, comfortably winning the final set 6-2 to complete a 2-1 comeback victory and advance to the final.

After the match, Medvedev spoke about working with his new team: “This marks a fresh start for me.”

Regarding his 29-month title drought, Medvedev was pragmatic and determined: “I already promised the Almaty organizers that I would compete here. Since I made that commitment, I must honor it. My ranking has dropped significantly, so I need to earn points by playing more tournaments, but more importantly, I feel I must first regain my form.”

He further explained his motivation for entering the tournament: “Although Almaty is an ATP250 event, its level is close to ATP500. Plus, as I’m unlikely to qualify for the year-end finals, I plan to participate in every tournament I can.”

After the match, fans engaged in lively discussions about the contest.

“Medvedev is making progress in regaining his form! Looking forward to him ending his title drought!” wrote one fan on social media. Another commented: “From Shanghai to Almaty, Medvedev’s form is definitely improving, although the matches have had some ups and downs.”

Regarding the 29-month title drought, some fans analyzed: “It’s rare for a top player to go so long without a title, but Medvedev’s ability remains; he just needs to overcome the mental barrier.” Many admired his pursuit of a 40th final: “This is the power of persistence, never giving up despite temporary slumps!”

Medvedev’s opponent in the final will be the winner between Moutet and Mickelson. If he wins the title, it will be his first since the 2023 Rome Masters. He previously reached the 2025 Halle final but lost to Bublik.

Regarding the final, Medvedev expressed strong confidence: “I am eager to lift the trophy again.” Winning would be the best gift to himself for his persistence and inject fresh energy into this rollercoaster season.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)