Daniil Medvedev recovered from a sluggish start to advance at the Brisbane International, while Alex de Minaur withstood a determined comeback from injury returnee Hubert Hurkacz to keep Australia's United Cup hopes alive. The top seed in Brisbane initially struggled against lucky loser Kamil Majchrzak but found his rhythm to book a semifinal spot, while de Minaur needed three sets to see off the Polish veteran who was playing just his third match since knee surgery. Andrey Rublev advanced smoothly in Hong Kong, setting up a semifinal clash with Lorenzo Musetti.
Medvedev finds his range after early struggles
The former world No. 1 looked vulnerable early against Kamil Majchrzak, dropping the opening set 7-4 in a tiebreak before adopting a more aggressive approach to prevail 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2. Medvedev transformed his game after the disappointing first set, describing the match as featuring Top 10-level shotmaking throughout. The Russian was particularly dominant in the decider, dropping just five points on serve and winning 12 of 16 serve pressure points overall. His victory advances him to a 52nd tour-level semifinal on hard courts, breaking his tie with Gael Monfils for second-most among active players behind only Novak Djokovic. Medvedev, who reached the Brisbane final in his only previous appearance in 2019, next faces Alex Michelsen as he pursues his 22nd ATP title.
De Minaur survives Hurkacz's inspired comeback
Australia's hopes remained intact as home favorite de Minaur weathered a spirited challenge from Hubert Hurkacz, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in their United Cup quarterfinal clash. The Polish veteran, playing just his third competitive match since undergoing knee surgery seven months ago, showed flashes of his former Top 10 form by leveling the match in the second set. Hurkacz had been in devastating form earlier in the tournament, firing 21 aces in consecutive victories over world No. 3 Alexander Zverev and Tallon Griekspoor. However, de Minaur's superior fitness and court coverage ultimately proved decisive in the decider, with the Australian winning an impressive 25 of 35 serve pressure points throughout the match. The victory keeps Australia alive in their quest to reach a first United Cup final, with the winner of this tie facing either Poland or another quarterfinalist.
Rublev cruises into Hong Kong semifinal
Andrey Rublev delivered a clinical performance to dispatch Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-4, setting up an intriguing semifinal showdown with top seed Lorenzo Musetti. The 2024 Hong Kong champion was in commanding form, striking 22 winners while saving the only break point he faced throughout the match. Rublev's serve was particularly effective, winning an outstanding 89% of first-serve points and converting 4 of 5 serve pressure points when under duress. The third seed acknowledged the challenge ahead against Musetti, noting the Italian's remarkable improvement since their only previous meeting in Dubai in 2020. Musetti has been chasing his first ATP title since claiming two trophies in 2022, reaching three finals in 2025 but falling short each time. The Italian reached a career-high No. 6 ranking last year and appears determined to end his title drought in Hong Kong.
Michelsen edges all-American battle
Alex Michelsen prevailed in an all-American clash with Sebastian Korda, winning 6-3, 7-6(7) to reach his first ATP semifinal of 2026. The rising American was rock-solid behind his serve, saving the only break point he faced while capitalizing on Korda's inconsistent serving display. Michelsen secured the crucial early break in the opening set and maintained his composure in a tight second-set tiebreak, eventually prevailing 9-7 after Korda squandered multiple opportunities. The victory marked Michelsen's 50th tour-level win on hard courts and sets up a semifinal meeting with top seed Medvedev. Michelsen won 11 of 12 serve pressure points, demonstrating the mental toughness required to handle the pressure moments against a fellow American.
Kovacevic outlasts Mpetshi Perricard in three-set thriller
Aleksandar Kovacevic survived a power-serving battle with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, eventually prevailing 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3 in a match dominated by big serving from both players. The American-Serbian player was exceptional on serve, winning nearly 88% of first-serve points and firing 13 aces throughout the encounter. However, Kovacevic's superior return game proved decisive, as he managed to convert his lone break point opportunity while Mpetshi Perricard failed to capitalize on four of his five chances. The Frenchman's serve kept him competitive throughout, but crucial lapses in concentration at key moments cost him dearly. Kovacevic advances to face either Medvedev or Michelsen in what promises to be another challenging semifinal assignment.
Nakashima dispatches Collignon after upset win
Brandon Nakashima ended Raphael Collignon's impressive Brisbane run with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-3 victory in their quarterfinal encounter. The Belgian had enjoyed the week of his career, notably defeating his childhood idol Grigor Dimitrov in an emotional previous-round victory where he described the experience as an honor. However, Nakashima's consistent baseline game and superior experience proved too much for the world No. 84. The American was particularly impressive under pressure, winning 13 of 19 serve pressure points while perfectly executing his return opportunities by converting 6 of 12 return pressure points. Nakashima's flawless break point defense - saving all six opportunities he faced - demonstrated the level of focus required to advance deep into ATP events.
The semifinal lineup is now complete across all three tournaments, with Brisbane featuring an intriguing mix of established stars and rising talent, while Hong Kong promises compelling matchups between experienced campaigners seeking different goals in their respective careers.
Saturday's semifinal showdowns
Saturday's ATP action delivers a compelling slate of semifinal clashes, led by an intriguing encounter between Lorenzo Musetti and Andrey Rublev in Hong Kong. The World No. 7 Italian takes on the explosive Russian in their first meeting since 2020, while Brisbane's semifinals feature Daniil Medvedev against rising American Alex Michelsen. United Cup action continues with Taylor Fritz facing Hubert Hurkacz, while the Canberra Challenger crowns its champion.
Hong Kong heavyweight clash
The pick of Saturday's action sees Musetti and Rublev renew their rivalry after six years apart. Their lone previous meeting came in Dubai 2020, where Rublev prevailed, but the Italian has evolved dramatically since then, climbing to a career-high ranking. Musetti's 27-16 hard court record over the past year shows impressive consistency, with his 72.4% first serve points won providing a solid foundation. His pressure point statistics reveal strong mental fortitude, saving 64.0% of break points faced when the stakes are highest.
Rublev brings his trademark power but arrives with questions about form, sporting a 4-6 record in his last 10 matches. The Russian's serve remains devastating - 8.2 aces per match and 77.4% first serve points won - but his second serve vulnerability at 51.1% could prove costly against Musetti's improved return game. The Italian wins 28.6% of points against first serves and jumps to 52.9% on second serve returns, suggesting he can exploit any lapses in Rublev's service rhythm. With both players showing identical 64% break point save rates under pressure, this semifinal could hinge on who handles the crucial moments better.
Brisbane semifinal surprises
Medvedev enters as the clear favorite against Michelsen, holding a 2-0 head-to-head advantage with wins in their 2025 encounters. The former world No. 1 has found his rhythm at the perfect time, winning eight of his last 10 matches while showcasing the return game that made him famous. His 33.1% return points won against first serves and 54.7% against second serves represent elite numbers, particularly dangerous against Michelsen's more modest serving statistics.
The young American shouldn't be dismissed entirely, arriving on a three-match winning streak and boasting superior tiebreak numbers at 57.9% compared to Medvedev's 50-50 record. Michelsen's challenge lies in his 70.5% first serve points won - solid but not overwhelming against one of the tour's premier returners. Both players show identical 64.5% break point save rates under pressure, suggesting mental toughness won't separate them. However, Medvedev's 38.5% conversion rate on return pressure points significantly outpaces Michelsen's 36.8%, potentially proving decisive in tight moments.
American semifinal surprise
Brisbane's other semifinal features two Americans meeting for the first time. Brandon Nakashima enters as the higher seed but faces Aleksander Kovacevic riding a three-match winning streak. Kovacevic's powerful serve - 9.3 aces per match - could trouble Nakashima, though the veteran has shown better overall consistency with a 57.1% hard court win rate compared to Kovacevic's 46.7%. Nakashima's superior break point defense at 67.1% saved gives him the edge in pressure moments.
United Cup tension
Fritz and Hurkacz renew their rivalry with the American holding a 4-2 overall advantage, though Hurkacz claimed their most recent meeting in Geneva. Fritz's 11.8 aces per match and 70.0% break point save rate showcase his big-match temperament, while Hurkacz counters with even more powerful serving at 13.6 aces per match. The Pole arrives in excellent form with seven wins in his last 10 matches, though Fritz's superior hard court sample size over the past year (48 matches vs 12) suggests greater match sharpness.
Hong Kong's other semifinal
Marcos Giron looks to continue his surprising run against Alexander Bublik, holding a surprising 3-1 head-to-head advantage over the talented Kazakh. Bublik's serve remains elite at 80.2% first serve points won and 12.1 aces per match, but his inconsistent second serve at 45.9% points won creates opportunities for Giron's solid returning. The American's three-match winning streak and proven ability to handle Bublik's unpredictable style make this closer than the rankings suggest.