Medvedev In Line For First Title of 2026 in Brisbane

For a long time it felt like former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev might never win another title again. He took care of his long malaise with an inspiring win last year in Almaty, ending an 882-day title drought.

In 2026, he’s looking to build on that momentum.

The 29-year-old powered into his 41st career ATP final (second to only Novak Djokovic among active ATP players) with a 6-4, 6-2 win over American Alex Michelsen, setting a title match with Brandon Nakashima.

Nakashima, unseeded, took out Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6(4), 6-4.

Medvedev was down by a break early in the one hour and 44-minute contest, but he would not surrender another service break as he rallied to break the Southern California native four times and win 12 of the final 16 games.

Medvedev, the top seed and 2019 finalist in Brisbane, saved all four break points he faced in the second set as he pulled away to a victory that was more difficult to achieve than the scoreline suggests.

“It was not easy at all. The score doesn’t completely reflect the match,” said Medvedev. “But I’m happy that in the most important moments, I managed to be better than Alex. That’s what you have to do to win the match.”

Medvedev leads Nakashima 2-0 in their lifetime head-to-head.