Bruised but unbeaten, Griekspoor to face Medvedev in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final
UFC great Khabib Nurmagomedov watches from VIP box
DUBAI – Tallon Griekspoor will contest the biggest final of his career on Saturday night after battling through pain and pressure to reach the ATP 500 title match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Awaiting him on Centre Court is former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 champion, who earlier dismantled top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in commanding fashion.
The final marks a compelling sequel to last year’s quarter-final epic at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, where Griekspoor saved four match points to defeat Medvedev in a three-set rollercoaster. Their only previous meeting ended in frustration for the Russian. Part two now arrives with silverware at stake.
Physical toll
Griekspoor’s route to the final was anything but straightforward. The World No. 25 edged fifth seed Andrey Rublev 7-5, 7-6 (6) in a gripping contest that tested both endurance and nerve.
Midway through the opening set, the Dutchman landed awkwardly and immediately struggled with his movement. Despite visible discomfort, his serve remained a formidable weapon. He struck 11 aces and repeatedly found first serves at crucial moments, reaching 6-5 before requesting a medical timeout.
Rublev, ranked No. 18 and champion in Dubai in 2022, appeared unsettled upon the resumption. In a tight first set defined by minimal opportunities, it was Rublev who faltered at 5-6, surrendering serve to hand Griekspoor the breakthrough.
Tiebreak drama
The second set mirrored the first in its intensity. Both players held serve with authority, trading aces and heavy baseline exchanges through 12 games.
In the tiebreak, Rublev moved ahead and served for the set at 6-4. Griekspoor responded with a stunning forehand cross-court winner before sealing the contest with two unreturnable serves to bring up match point. When Rublev netted a deep return, Griekspoor collapsed to the court, his reaction blending relief and exhaustion.
Among those watching from the VIP box was UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former lightweight world champion observing as the Dutchman secured victory despite restricted mobility.
“I have no idea how I won that match, honestly,” Griekspoor said afterwards, admitting that a third set would have posed severe physical challenges. He has dropped only one set all week, having also eliminated second seed Alexander Bublik in the opening round.
Medvedev advances
Earlier in the evening, Medvedev produced a clinical 6-4, 6-2 win over top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. The World No. 11 entered the semi-final with a 7-2 head-to-head advantage and controlled proceedings from deep behind the baseline.
The first set hinged on a single break. Serving at 5-4 to force a tie at 5-5, Auger-Aliassime misfired on a forehand after a probing return from Medvedev, conceding both the game and the set.
In the second, Medvedev’s court coverage blunted the Canadian’s drop shots, forcing errors and breaking for 3-1. From there, the Russian tightened his grip, closing out the match with a clean backhand winner.
Victory sends Medvedev into his second Dubai final and offers an opportunity to achieve a rare personal milestone. Despite owning 22 career titles, each has come in a different city. “Tomorrow I’ll try to make it two somewhere,” he said, acknowledging the unusual statistic.
Saturday stakes
The final will also mark a notable moment for the venue. Saturday’s championship match will be the last before construction begins on expanding the 5,000-seat Centre Court by 40 percent capacity.
Medvedev, making his sixth appearance at the tournament, spoke of his affinity for the event and its organisation. The 2020 US Open champion cited both competitive preparation and family time in Dubai as reasons for his continued return.
When the pair last met here, Griekspoor prevailed 2-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 after saving four match points, prompting visible frustration from Medvedev. This time, the Dutchman’s recovery may prove decisive.
“Daniil is an extremely good opponent,” Griekspoor said, limping into his post-match press conference. “I will definitely need both of my legs when I play because he's going to use his legs.”
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, continues on Saturday, with tickets starting from Dh65.