ALMATY/STARNBERG, October 16, 2025
After a tense one hour and 44 minute battle, Daniil Medvedev edged out Australia’s James Walton 7-5, 7-6(0) in the second round of the Almaty Open, showing grit and self-belief to survive a spirited challenge. Still managing the physical effects of his recent Asian swing in Shanghai and Beijing, the World No. 18 found just enough rhythm – and composure – to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the ATP Tour 250 event in Kazakhstan.
Finishing with a flourish
Daniil Medvedev wins the last 11 points to defeat Walton 7-5 7-6(0) and reach his 12th quarter-final of 2025 – 2nd only to Alcaraz (13)! #AlmatyOpen pic.twitter.com/iPsaMlI2uE
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 16, 2025
Medvedev entered the press room visibly relieved, the strain of the match still fresh. In his typically open and reflective manner, he spoke about the challenges of the night and the factors that helped him get through.
“It’s hard to compare the conditions – they’re different, after all. Indoor hard courts are faster, so the serve flies more. Every match is a battle,” Medvedev said. “Today, thanks to the confidence I built up in Shanghai and Beijing, I managed to win. The match was close – the first set, the second too. Even though I didn’t feel 100% physically, I was able to play the right shots at the right moments – that’s what I lacked in earlier events.”
Those key moments came early in the second set, when Walton held several break points that could have swung the momentum.
“Those moments happen in every match. The key is how you manage them,” Medvedev explained. “In Cincinnati, I had similar situations but couldn’t convert. Today, at 5–5, he played some really tough rallies to save the break points. Of course, I’d have liked to finish 7–5 instead of 7–6, but that’s tennis. Every match has those key moments — the more you win, the better your chances.”
Medvedev admitted that not everything went smoothly. An uncharacteristic flash of frustration early in the second set nearly cost him the match, but he managed to settle down when it mattered most.
“Yeah, a bit nervous today, which isn’t typical for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself, for personal reasons I’d rather not get into,” he said. “This is probably the closest thing to a ‘home’ tournament for me, with Russian fans in the stands, and that adds a layer of pressure. I’m not proud of the outburst, but I’m glad I managed to refocus at 1–4. I told myself, ‘Okay, just play point by point.’ That mindset helped turn things around.”
The physical strain was also a factor. After a long trip through Asia, Medvedev entered the tournament nursing some discomfort.
“I had some issues before the tournament, and honestly, I wanted to play well here maybe a bit too much,” he revealed. “At another event, I might’ve taken it easier, but this one feels special. I’m happy that I managed to win and that, by the end, I was already moving better. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll feel even better. Every match here is tough, but if I can keep improving, I’ll have every chance.”
Medvedev even found time to smile when a journalist brought up a fan’s playful comment from the stands.
“(Laughs) Good one,” he replied. “Maybe Liverpool when Klopp had just arrived — not playing great yet, but still finding a way to grab a win at the end. Yeah, that’s how it felt.”
Throughout the night, the crowd played its part, something Medvedev clearly appreciated.
“It helped, for sure,” he said. “During the match, you don’t think about it much — you’re focused on tactics, but the support gives you energy. Especially in those long games, it makes a difference. It’s always better when the crowd’s cheering for you, so I really appreciated it.”
Looking ahead, Medvedev will face Hungarian Fabian Marozsan in the quarterfinals, a matchup he expects to be anything but easy.
“We played once over a year ago, so that match doesn’t mean much now. He’s a great player with a strong record against top guys, so I know I’ll have to play my best. It should be a great match.”
