Daniil Medvedev showcased his exceptional form on Thursday with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win against Jenson Brooksby, booking his place in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships for the third time in his career. The Russian star, who once held the world number one ranking, is currently chasing a milestone that has eluded him throughout his career: winning the same tournament twice. Having lifted the Dubai trophy in 2023, Medvedev is determined to replicate that success and add another title to his impressive collection of 22 career singles championships.
Reflecting on his performance, Medvedev acknowledged that Brooksby appeared to be struggling with physical issues, possibly involving his shoulder or elbow, which affected his serving. “I felt great on the court today. I noticed that Jenson might have had some problems with his shoulder or elbow because his first serve wasn’t quite up to his usual standard,” Medvedev explained. Despite this, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and continuing to play aggressively. “You still have to put the returns in and stay competitive. Jenson is a tough competitor and a real fighter,” he added. Medvedev expressed satisfaction with his current level of play in Dubai and is eagerly anticipating the challenge ahead in the semifinals.
At 30 years old, the former US Open champion is set to face either the top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime or the eighth seed Jiri Lehecka in the next round. This match marked only the second time Medvedev and Brooksby have met on the ATP Tour. Medvedev quickly established control by breaking Brooksby’s serve twice, securing the first set in just 28 minutes. He maintained his momentum in the second set, breaking early and steadily cruising to a convincing victory in under an hour.
This win also marked Medvedev’s 53rd hard-court semifinal appearance, placing him second only to Novak Djokovic among active players in this category. Prior to the tournament, Medvedev spoke candidly about his quest for consistency—a quality he found easier to achieve earlier in his career when he played with less pressure and fewer mental distractions. “There were times in my career when I was better prepared mentally, ironically less experienced but more carefree,” he reflected. “People say rookies get lucky because everything is new to them. I used to just play instinctively, without overthinking. Now, I have many thoughts running through my mind, which can help at times but can also hold me back. Sometimes, I just need to clear my head to perform at my best.”
For Brooksby, reaching the quarterfinals in Dubai represents a significant milestone in his comeback journey. The 25-year-old American began 2025 without a ranking after undergoing surgeries on both wrists and serving a 13-month suspension for missing three anti-doping tests. Despite these setbacks, Brooksby has made a remarkable return to form, climbing back into the top 50 in the ATP rankings and demonstrating resilience and determination on the court.
Later on Thursday, the tournament will continue with Andrey Rublev facing Arthur Rinderknech, while Jakub Mensik takes on Tallon Griekspoor. The winners of these matches will meet in the other semifinal, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Dubai Tennis Championships.
