By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Photo credit: Tennis TV Screen Shot
Andrey Rublev is Godfather to Daniil Medvedev’s children.
Off court, the long-time friends are like family.
On court, Medvedev continues to impose a one-sided competitive relationship.
Medvedev rocketed 23 aces—including an exclamation point ace on championship point—beating buddy Rublev 7-5, 6-4 in today’s Hangzhou final.
It is Medvedev’s 24th career title at 23 different events.
The 30-year-old Medvedev is the oldest man to raise an ATP title trophy this season—and the Brisbane and Dubai champion joins Jannik Sinner (six titles) and Ben Shelton (four titles) as the third man to win three or more championships in 20026.
Riding an imposing serve, Medvedev maintained his mastery of Rublev, defeating the world No. 24 for the fourth time in a row to take an 8-2 lead lead in their head-to-head series.
“There is always a tiny bit more on the line,” Medvedev said of facing his friend Rublev. “I think I handled it well.
“I played good in the important moments and I’m really happy with my level.”
The top-seeded Medvedev served 70 percent, won 40 of 47 first-serve points, pumped 23 aces against only 2 double faults and saved both break points he faced in stamping his first Top 25-win since defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semifinals last March.
World No. 6 Medvedev improved to 38-16 on the season, scoring his 27th hard-court win of the year to tie US Open champion Alexander Zverev for most hard-court wins on the ATP Tour in 2026.
A day after registering his milestone 400th career victory, Rublev played a solid final but could not crack Medvedev’s baseline resourcefulness.
Rublev, who saved five of seven break points today, fell to 18-13 lifetime in Tour-level finals.
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