Former world number one Daniil Medvedev suffered a shocking defeat at the Dubai Championships, losing to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in a tense quarterfinal match. Griekspoor, ranked 47th in the world, staged a remarkable comeback to win 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-5, as Medvedev let four match points slip away.
The Russian player, who won the Dubai title in 2023, was visibly frustrated during the match and received a code violation for unsportsmanlike behavior. He accused umpire Adel Nour of bias against Russian players, leading to a heated exchange on the court. Nour defended his actions, stating that he treats all players equally regardless of nationality.
Despite Medvedev’s outburst, Griekspoor remained composed and capitalized on his opportunities to secure the victory. The Dutchman’s resilience throughout the tournament, including saving match points in previous matches, earned him a spot in the semifinals where he will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Matteo Berrettini.
In another thrilling match, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his impressive form by defeating Marin Cilic to reach his fourth semifinal of the year. The 21st-ranked player expressed his satisfaction with his performance so far in 2025, having already claimed titles at Adelaide and Montpellier.
Auger-Aliassime will now take on French qualifier Quentin Halys in the semifinals, who staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Italian lucky loser Luca Nardi in a three-set thriller. Halys, who caused an upset by knocking out former champion Andrey Rublev in the first round, will be looking to continue his impressive run in Dubai.
The Dubai Championships have seen several surprises and intense battles on the court, showcasing the competitive nature of the sport. Fans can expect more thrilling matches as the tournament progresses towards the final showdown.
