Brisbane International | Daniil Medvedev makes hard work of Brandon Nakashima to prevail for coveted title

Daniil Medvedev is the champion in the Brisbane International after he fought off a comeback from his opponent Brandon Nakashima, winning 6-2, 7-6 (1).

It is just the start to the season he needed after what was a dreadful 2025 campaign. The form did pick up near the end of that year, in which he has been able to continue into Australia as he rules supreme Down Under. Nevertheless, he did not make it easy for himself, with his American rival constantly pestering him. In the end, his quality prevailed as he lifts his 22nd singles ATP title.

Medvedev was ruthless at first. In the first four games, he swept them all up without even thinking twice. He also dropped just four points. This double break advantage would be crucial, with an uphill climb for the American to claw himself back into the set. He held to love before squandering a chance to get one of the break back.

This happened in what would be the final game of the set. Medvedev was 40-15 ahead and had a brace of set points but was unable to take them. Nakashima would win the next three points, but was unable to make it four on the trot which was needed for the set. It took two more opportunities for the former world number one to take the advantage, crawling over the line after what had been a very comfortable start.

The first four games of the second set saw just two points go against the serve. This pattern was not going to prolong with Medvedev snatching a break, now having a firm grip over this tennis match. Nakashima would threaten a break, going 0-30 twice on the Medvedev serve. However, both times the former US Open champion was able to win four points in a row to keep his advantage.

This went all the way to 5-4, where he was serving it out for the match. In repeated events of set one, he squandered two championship points before Nakashima failed to clinch a break of his own. However, the match would turn on its head when he eventually got a break, levelling the match at 5-5.

A tiebreak was needed to split the pair up, with Medvedev a man on a mission. He probably should have been lifting the trophy at this moment, but instead he was at risk of going into a third set. This would be no issue as he raced into a 5-0 lead, dropping one point enroute to taking the championship point to clinch the title, starting the year off with a bang.

“I want to dedicate this to my family,” Medvedev said during the trophy ceremony. “They couldn’t make it to Australia, it is a bit too far guys, about 23 hours from where I live and with two young kids it is not easy. I decided to play this tournament and we thought we would be coming all together but we stuck to the decision and my daughter had a birthday when I was here, so I dedicate it to her first birthday. This [trophy] is a bit too heavy for her though.”

After two and a half years without silverware, he has won two titles in the space of a few months. Now up to world number 12, he will be looking to make a permanent return to the top 10 at the Australian Open, a tournament he has made the final of three times.