SportsPosted at: Oct 26 2026 12:05AM


Medvedev rallies past Basilashvili to retain Almaty Open title

Almaty (Kazakhstan), Oct 25 (UNI) Daniil Medvedev successfully defended an ATP Tour title for the first time in his career on Sunday, recovering from a set down to beat Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-3 in the 2026 Almaty Open final.
The top-seeded Russian overcame a strong start from Basilashvili, who matched Medvedev from the baseline in a closely contested opening set before fading as the match wore on.
Medvedev, who remained unbroken throughout the contest, gradually asserted his authority to secure his fourth title of the season and the 25th of his career after one hour and 53 minutes.
Basilashvili began confidently, using his powerful groundstrokes to put Medvedev under pressure and force a first-set tiebreak. The Russian held a set point but was unable to convert as the Georgian edged ahead.
However, Basilashvili struggled to maintain his early intensity, with Medvedev's consistency and defensive skills increasingly frustrating the 34-year-old.

The defending champion dominated the second set 6-1 before carrying that momentum into the decider, where he continued to dictate play and landed 78 pe cent of his first serves to complete
the comeback.
"It was not easy but I had my chances in the first set. I got a bit unlucky," Medvedev said. "I knew
I would probably have my chances to turn the match around. But I am happy to win."
Despite having won titles at several tournaments on multiple occasions, Medvedev had never previously managed to defend an ATP Tour crown, according to Xinhua.
"It is just a matter of time, luck, a moment," he said. "I was feeling fresh, physically good. Sascha [Bublik] being injured in the semis gave me an extra push in the final and I am happy to finally do it."
Medvedev reached Sunday's final after home favorite Alexander Bublik retired injured during their semifinal on Saturday, having lost the opening set 6-3. The Russian had earlier beaten Japan's Sho Shimabukuro and France's Terence Atmane.
The victory adds to Medvedev's titles in Brisbane, Dubai and Chengdu this season, with only Italy's Jannik Sinner, who has won six tournaments, claiming more ATP Tour titles in 2026.

The triumph also strengthened Medvedev's hopes of qualifying for November's season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
The former world No. 1, who won the event in 2020, sits fifth in the live qualification race with 2,670 points, 790 clear of 10th-placed Alex de Minaur, the first player outside the qualification places.
Medvedev, who competed at the ATP Finals for six consecutive years from 2019 to 2024 before missing out last season, will next compete at the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna.
Despite the defeat, Basilashvili enjoyed an encouraging week in Almaty, reaching his first tour-level final since losing to Roberto Bautista Agut in Doha in 2022.

The five-time ATP Tour champion is set to climb 30 places to world No. 98 when the rankings are updated Monday, returning to the top 100 for the first time since February 2023.
UNI BM
Tags: #Medvedev rallies past Basilashvili to retain Almaty Open title
More News

Medvedev rallies past Basilashvili to retain Almaty Open title

26 Oct 2026 | 12:05 AM

Almaty (Kazakhstan), Oct 25 (UNI) Daniil Medvedev successfully defended an ATP Tour title for the first time in his career on Sunday, recovering from a set down to beat Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-3 in the 2026 Almaty Open final.

see more..

Arsenal goes level with Manchester City at top of Premier League

25 Oct 2026 | 11:07 PM

London, Oct 25 (UNI) Two goals from Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson ended Manchester City's 100 percent record at the start of the Premier League season as Aston Villa claimed a 2-1 win at Villa Park.

see more..

Atletico Madrid moves to within 2 points of Barcelona while Villarreal wins in Valencia

25 Oct 2026 | 10:55 PM

Madrid, Oct 25 (UNI) Julian Alvarez scored the only goal of the game as Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo a Coruna on Saturday night to move to within two points of FC Barcelona, who plays Real Madrid in the Clasico on Sunday.

see more..

India held by Grenada in FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival

25 Oct 2026 | 10:43 PM

Baku (Azerbaijan), Oct 25 (UNI) India remained unbeaten at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup
& Festival Azerbaijan 2026 after a 3-3 draw against Grenada in their third Group K match at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1B here on Sunday.

see more..

Uttarakhand govt to start 100 Miles Ultra race at 5,600 metres high Himalayas to boost tourism, 1st edition in May 2027

25 Oct 2026 | 10:19 PM

By Prithviraj Singh
Dehradun, Oct 25 (UNI) After successful completion of second edition of higher Himalayas' 70 kilometres "Adi Kailash Prikrama Run" today, Uttarakhand government announced that it will be complemented with first 100 Miles "Himalayan Endurance Ultra Run (HEUR)" from May 2027.

see more..