Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Daniil Medvedev has strengthened his bid for a return to the ATP Finals by beating Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-4 to win the Hangzhou Open.
The top seed claimed his third title of the season after Brisbane and Dubai, producing a dominant display on serve with 23 aces and only two double faults in the 93-minute final.
“There is always a tiny bit more on the line,” Medvedev said about the all-Russian duel. “I think I handled it well. I played good in the important moments and I’m really happy with my level.”
The victory marked Medvedev’s 24th career tour-level title and his 22nd on hard court.
“I’m really happy to see you in this final,” Medvedev said to second seed Rublev.
“Sorry that I served good today, but hopefully we can finish the season this strong.”
The title win keeps the 30-year-old in contention for a return to the season-ending event in Turin. The former world No.1 missed out on ATP Finals qualification last year for the first time since 2018.
Medvedev, now world No.6 will next head to Beijing, where he faces qualifier Pablo Carreno Busta in the first round.
In the Chengdu final, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain dispatched Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 7-6 (9-7).
with agencies
