Daniil Medvedev and Brandon Nakashima will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they battle for the Brisbane International title on Sunday.
Both of their previous meetings have gone Medvedev’s way. The Russian prevailed 6-4, 6-3 at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters and 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the 2025 Madrid Masters. Neither surface really favored Medvedev, either, as Madrid is on clay and Indian Wells — as Medvedev infamously declared — is not exactly a true hard court.
In Brisbane, however, the 29-year-old might as well be right at home. Conditions are favorable for his game and he has always played well Down Under (he is a three-time Australian Open runner-up). Medvedev now finds himself in the final of this ATP 250 tournament following victories over Marton Fucsovics, Frances Tiafoe, Kamil Majchrzak, and Alex Michelsen while losing only one set to Majchrzak.
Nakashima is also in spectacular form. The 33rd-ranked American did not drop a single set en route to the championship match while ousting Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Quentin Halys, Raphael Collignon, and Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Unfortunately for Nakashima, he has won just a single ATP title in his career (San Diego in 2022). The 24-year-old has not even played in a final since then, as his two runner-up performances both came back in 2021 (Atlanta, Los Cabos). Medvedev’s experience and overall level dating back to last fall should give him the edge, but it won’t be easy if Nakashima continues to play like he has all week.
Pick: Medvedev in 3