Medvedev emulates McEnroe as surprising stat emerges

Highlights: Zverev downs Tien to clinch Laver Cup for Team Europe

Medvedev beat Rublev 7-5 6-4 thanks to a strong service game which saw him deliver 23 aces. He only double-faulted twice.

The Chinese ATP 250 final win followed title wins in Brisbane and Dubai for Medvedev earlier in 2026.

And Rublev - who had started strongly - was magnanimous in defeat in his losing speech.

"I don’t know what to say, because after so many years we’ve said so many things to each other," the 28-year-old said.

"So, I don’t know what else to say. I just want to congratulate you, say 'hi' to you and your family. I hope we will have many more memories over the years and in the future.

"Congrats again for the title, and good luck for the rest of the season."

Medvedev said that there is always more at stake when he faces Rublev given their friendship off the court.

"There is always a tiny bit more on the line," said the 30-year-old. "I think I handled it well.

"I played good in the important moments, and I’m really happy with my level."

He told Rublev: "I’m really happy to see you in the final, sorry that I served good today, but hopefully we can finish the season strong."

Medvedev has previously described himself as a hard court "specialist" - and his career record bears out that preference.

The title was Mevedev’s 22nd on a hard court, with all but two of his career wins having come on the surface.

Medvedev’s Hangzhou success puts him level with McEnroe, Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang in hard court tour-level wins in the Open era.

He is now closing in on world No. 1 Jannik Sinner (23) and Rafael Nadal (25).

The player to have claimed the most hard court victories in the Open era is Novak Djokovic, with the Serb having won 72 tournaments on the surface.

Roger Federer is second with 71, and he is followed by Andre Agassi (46) and Jimmy Connors (43) in the standings.

Medvedev will now head to Beijing for the China Open, an ATP 500 event.

He reached the final of the tournament in 2023, losing to Sinner, and made the last four in 2024 and 2025, being beaten by Carlos Alcaraz and Learner Tien, respectively.

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