Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the Olympic champion and two-time Grand Slam winner, believes the Dubai ATP final will feature a clash between Russia’s own Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev. The former star conveyed his expectations via TASS, underscoring the clash as a showcase of peak form rather than a clear favorite.
According to Kafelnikov, neither Rublev nor Medvedev holds a guaranteed edge. Both players have reached the final with identical momentum, each posting four wins in Dubai as they arrive at the championship match. Medvedev’s recent run has turned heads, presenting him as the slightly more favored contestant due to his current streak, yet the path to victory remains challenging for both competitors. The sense of national pride adds an extra layer of significance to the duel, with Kafelnikov noting the historic backing from the audience and the symmetry of a Russian final—an image that resonates across the Russian tennis community.
In the semifinals, Medvedev showed his capacity to close out tight battles by defeating the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic, in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Rublev advanced by outlasting German star Alexander Zverev in a decisive tiebreak, 6-3, 7-6 with an 11-9 score in the deciding frame. The results map a high-stakes final that promises intensity and precise ball-striking from both players, with Medvedev leveraging a sharp service return and Rublev using his aggressive groundstrokes to keep pressure on his opponent.
Medvedev’s Dubai run marks the third consecutive appearance in a final for the 27-year-old, reflecting a period of sustained excellence on hard courts. After an uneven showing at the Australian Open, he rebounded with a string of victories that included triumphs in Rotterdam and Doha earlier in the season. The sequence demonstrates how quickly momentum can shift in the ATP tour, turning confidence into consistent performances and establishing a blueprint for how to handle pressure on big-stage moments. Analysts note that such a stretch often translates to improved belief in decisive moments, which could tilt the Dubai final in Medvedev’s favor if he maintains his level and serves well under pressure.
Shamil Tarpishchev, the former president of the Russian Tennis Federation, praised the Dubai final as a significant achievement for both Medvedev and Rublev. He highlighted the quality of play and the public interest generated by a homegrown showdown, framing it as a milestone for Russian men’s tennis on the international stage. The Dubai event this year has underscored the depth of talent in the nation and the capacity of its players to compete at the highest levels while carrying the weight of national expectations. The final is shaping up to be not just a match for a trophy but a moment that could influence future decisions and opportunities for both athletes as they plan the rest of the season.