ATP 250 Almaty Open QF: [1] D. Medvedev def. T. Atmane 6-4, 6-4

posted by u/Eris_Daughter_Of_Nyx · 2026-10-23 10:54 UTC

2 wins at his first title defense for Medvedev, who also today on serve loses only 9 points in 10 games.

In the semifinals, he will face the winner of Bublik/Khachanov.

## Top comments

1. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-23 10:55 UTC

Honestly it's just frustrating Medvedev is maybe the biggest headcase in big matches now

This isn't 2025 where he was just a mid player when there's not much at stake he looks awesome lol

2. u/KeltonsGauntlet · 2026-10-23 11:00 UTC

Ehh, I think you’re overlooking how slim the margins are with his game style. In a close match he’s going to lose more often now bc his serve is not automatic and he can’t reliably finish points.

3. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-23 11:02 UTC

To an extent but his Slam meltdowns go far beyond the margins of being explained only by his gamestyle it might be the literal most extreme stretch of unclutchness I've seen

2025 AO: Served for match in 5th set against Tien, lost

2025 RG: Served for match in 5th set against Norrie, lost

2025 USO: Up a break 2 different times in 5th set against Bonzi, lost

2026 RG: Up a break in 5th set vs. Walton with several chances to double break, lost

2026 Wimbledon: Blew leads in all 3 sets vs. Struff a bottom 10 returner on tour including somehow losing from 5-2 40-15 up in the 3rd set

Even the Tiafoe USO match was unclutch from him but these are obviously all way worse

4. u/Ok_Helicopter_7816 · 2026-10-23 11:25 UTC

I honestly wouldn't include the 2025 matches bc those losses weren't just about mental collapses, his actual level at those times was fuckin garbage. Pure pushing with no first serve whatsoever, he was lowkey fortunate to even have chances to win those matches, significantly worse level than hes played most of this year.

This year, the Tiafoe match I honestly think he was just outplayed by a better man on the day (with home advantage as well). The Struff and Walton matches though yeah, YIKES those ones was 90% just pure choking. I agree he has definitely lost the mental edge he had from 2019-2024, parrticularly 2023 and 2024, where he wasn't really at his mid-20s peak, but winning a shit ton of big matches on pure guts and will alone

5. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-23 11:34 UTC

Yup if you look some of his 2024 metrics like points won% they were in the gutter much worse than 2026 his serve was horrific and he was barely getting any convincing wins

It's just that he was really good at fighting in best of 5 then and really bad now

6. u/Behamot · 2026-10-23 11:01 UTC

Don't get fooled by the scoreline. This was a very one-sided match.

7. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-23 11:19 UTC

It's crazy how much Med's serve quality varies purely based on conditions at the moment he barely faced any remote pressure on his serve the entire match

From mid-September through March he still looks like a very good server when he's in conditions where he feels he has better control and rhythm

The moment you get him anywhere near a Wilson ball he turns into Schwarztman it's like he's turned back into who he was when he first broke out in terms of absurd condition reliance

8. u/Eris_Daughter_Of_Nyx · 2026-10-23 12:05 UTC

If I'm not mistaken, Medvedev is one of the most vocal players in demanding that the same balls be used every time. I wonder what would happen if he were granted his request, but the ball chosen was one he wasn't comfortable with.

9. u/Ai--Ya · 2026-10-23 15:55 UTC

These balls SUCK! These balls are horrible! Delete these fucking balls from the fucking life!

10. u/am_anonymous427 · 2026-10-23 11:23 UTC

Yes!!

11. u/WolfTitan99 · 2026-10-23 10:59 UTC

250 Med is a beast! No idea why but his forehand is on fire so I’m glad to see this. I do wish he would bring this form to Slams again though 😭

12. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-23 11:05 UTC

It's annoying because on paper this year should have been a huge chance for him at Slams he's arguably the best returner on tour with Sincaraz out and his best of 3 metrics still look quite good

He sold big time based on his overall stats he should have been almost as much of a threat to take advantage of the vacuum as Zverev but instead he had to be a generational headcase

13. u/WolfTitan99 · 2026-10-23 11:08 UTC

I guess so but he clearly has some mental demons to get over. I have a feeing he was physically compromised at AO but the other Slams were… something.

14. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-23 11:22 UTC

Yup last year I think his actual game was mostly terrible but at the moment outside of 2nd serve his biggest weakness is easily his mentality in big matches

2026 Med did have the level on average to do real damage given the current state of the tour it's just that he has a Tomic level mental in Slams now

It's the opposite of 2024 when he rarely had convincing performances and couldn't serve even against complete randoms but somehow fought his way to good Slam results

15. u/WolfTitan99 · 2026-10-23 11:32 UTC

Dont disrespect the Lord like that

16. u/Alone_Scar8321 · 2026-10-23 11:00 UTC

Cannot wait to see "Misbehavior derby" with Bublik

Profanity in russian language, "small cat", racket smashing, arguing with umpire... both

17. u/sjp101 · 2026-10-23 11:29 UTC

Misbehaviour derby could have been this match even, Atmane threw his racket at the crowd and got really lucky it hit railings. It's one of the worst things I've seen on a tennis court, mindblowing it wasn't a default.

18. u/CaptainBeeMan · 2026-10-23 13:50 UTC

Yep ATP need to sort it out. The rules should not be outcome based. It should be a default regardless of whether anyone is hurt. This behaviour would soon stop very quickly.

19. u/sjp101 · 2026-10-23 15:44 UTC

Yeah that's how I feel. I don't really have any issue with most defaults, rules are rules - but Atmane's was deliberate and several times more dangerous than recent defaults.

Also not sure why it's ok to intentionally smash a ball outside the stand as well, feasibly that could smash a window or hit someone from a way greater height.

20. u/kostornaias · 2026-10-23 11:21 UTC

It's funny because the Russian headcases seem to either really like each other or really dislike each other. Med and Bublik always seemed to get along, even during the "this is gonna be on Tennis TV, bro" incident. The umpire better watch out though