Medvedev Cruises Past Tiafoe in Brisbane

Daniil Medvedev is off to a proper fast start in 2026. The former world No.1 skated past Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals. He didn’t face a break point and converted three breaks to get past 30th-ranked Tiafoe in one hour.

“Frances is a very tough opponent,” Medvedev said. “Was a top-10 player and can play good any moment. Any ranking he has, he can make a tough fight to a top player.

“So I’m happy with the way I served. I think I put a lot of pressure on my serve on him, and then I always put some returns in play. So it’s a tiny bit of extra pressure on his serve when I’m serving that well. I managed to use it. Played great, happy, and looking forward.”

29-year-old Medvedev will face either Reilly Opelka or Kamil Majchrzak in the quarterfinals.

The former US Open champion has dropped just ten games through two rounds. He defeated Marton Fucsovics, 6-2, 6-3 in his first match.

Much has been made of Medvedev’s difficult 2025 season, but the Russian himself is eager to put those memories behind him.

“Physically I was struggling a bit,” he said of his 2025 campaign, which saw him go 41-23 and drop as low as No.18 in the ATP rankings. “For example, even in the end of the year where I was playing great tennis, physically I could have been better, and I think some matches cost me, because also I started playing more tournaments because I needed to chase up the rankings and stuff like this so I got a bit tired.

“I made a good preseason, good physical work. I’m feeling very fresh. And the two matches I played, okay, they were just a bit over one hour, so of course the real test is when it comes to these three-hour matches or more. But I’m happy with the way I feel on the court, with the way I move, and that’s the most important.”

In other action, defending champion Jiri Lehecka was forced to retire early in the second set against Sebastian Korda due to an ankle injury (6-3 1-2 ret.).

Korda will next face Alex Michelsen, who took out Learner Tien, 6-4, 6-2.