Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships ATP Round-Up Day Four | Medvedev and Auger-Aliassime advance to semi-finals

Day Four at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships confirmed the semi-final line-up, with Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime both progressing in controlled fashion. Medvedev delivered the most dominant display of the session, while Auger-Aliassime was tested before closing out his quarter-final in straight sets. Andrey Rublev and Tallon Griekspoor later secured the remaining spots in the final four.

The results reinforce the current narrative of the Middle East swing. Auger-Aliassime continues his strong run of form, Medvedev builds further momentum in his push toward the top 10, and Rublev — the 2022 champion in Dubai — remains firmly in contention. Griekspoor, meanwhile, adds another notable win to a resurgent week.

Daniil Medvedev required less than an hour to dismiss Jenson Brooksby in a performance built on serving precision and relentless baseline control. An immediate break in the opening game set the tone, and the Russian quickly consolidated to establish scoreboard pressure.

Medvedev landed 83% of his first serves and won 77% of those points, never facing a break point throughout the match. Brooksby, who had impressed in defeating Karen Khachanov in the previous round, struggled to neutralise the depth of Medvedev’s backhand and won just 23% of return points on the Russian’s first delivery. With seven aces and no double faults, Medvedev offered no opening.

A second break at 5-2 secured the opening set, and the pattern continued in the second. Another early break pushed Brooksby onto the defensive, and a further break for 4-1 effectively sealed the contest. Medvedev dictated exchanges from behind the baseline, forcing shorter replies and finishing points efficiently.

The 6-2, 6-1 victory sends Medvedev into another semi-final this season and underlines his growing comfort in Dubai’s conditions. He now prepares for a high-level encounter with Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime maintained his strong run of form with a disciplined 6-3, 7-6 victory over Jiri Lehecka, navigating a tight second set that ultimately required a tie-break.

The first set remained on serve until 3-3, when Auger-Aliassime raised his return intensity. Sustained pressure earned him the decisive break, and he closed out the set with assured service games. His ability to protect serve proved central throughout the contest.

In the second set, opportunities were more fleeting. At 4-3, the Canadian failed to convert five break points, allowing Lehecka to remain level. Both players held firm from the baseline, combining power with controlled aggression to force a tie-break.

Statistically, Auger-Aliassime’s serve again separated the two. He struck 14 aces, won 83% of first-serve points and held all 10 service games. Lehecka, despite landing 71% of first serves, managed just 18% of return points against the Canadian’s first delivery. In the tie-break, Auger-Aliassime accelerated, sealing victory with consecutive aces.

The win marks 11 victories in his last 12 matches, with his only defeat in that span coming in a final. He now faces Medvedev in what shapes as one of the standout semi-finals of the week.

Andrey Rublev advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Arthur Rinderknech, though the second set required composure after a brief lapse while serving for the match.

Rublev broke at 3-2 in the opening set after four routine holds, capitalising on consecutive return points to seize control. From there, he accelerated through the remainder of the set, sealing it with a powerful ace inside 30 minutes.

The second set featured visible frustration from the Russian following several unforced errors, yet he channelled that energy productively to break for 2-1. His return numbers proved decisive: he won 41% of first-serve return points and 61% against the Rinderknech second serve, consistently applying pressure.

Serving for the match at 5-3, Rublev was broken as Rinderknech extended the contest. On a second match point, a net cord intervened to deny him the finish. However, he responded immediately with another break to close the match 6-4.

Rublev won 71% of first-serve points and saved one of two break points faced. The 2022 champion now returns to the Dubai semi-finals, joining Medvedev and Auger-Aliassime in a high-quality final four.

Tallon Griekspoor secured the final semi-final spot in Dubai with a composed 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory over sixth seed Jakub Mensik, capitalising on a late dip in the 20-year-old’s level in the deciding set.

The Dutchman struck first in the opening set. After steady holds from both players, Griekspoor earned the first break at 4-2, using heavy forehands from the baseline to stretch Mensik wide and draw errors. He managed the closing stages efficiently, holding comfortably to take the set 6-3.

Mensik responded with authority in the second. The Czech raised his intensity on return and broke early as Griekspoor’s first-serve percentage dropped sharply. At one stage, Mensik won 20 of 25 points and claimed four of five games to move 5-2 ahead. Anchored behind his serve and striking 16 aces overall in the match, he levelled the contest 6-3 with a single decisive break.

The momentum shifted again in the decider. Griekspoor regained control at 4-2, breaking in a tight service game before serving for the match at 5-2. Under pressure, Mensik faltered. At 15-30, he committed his first double fault of the match, and on the following point rushed the net and missed a routine volley, handing victory to the Dutchman.

Despite Mensik’s 16 aces and strong 70% first-serve points won, Griekspoor was more efficient on key returns, winning 30% of first-serve return points and 45% on the second serve. He now advances to face Andrey Rublev in the semi-finals, continuing his resurgence after already claiming a Top-10 win earlier in the week.