ATP/WTA: Medvedev and Fernandez lift Asian Swing silverware

Medvedev takes down familiar foe

Former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev captured his third title of the year with the trophy lift in Hangzhou on Tuesday.

Medvedev overcame his close friend Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-4 in a battle of the top two seeds, courtesy of striking 23 aces during a stunning serving display.

“There is always a tiny bit more on the line,” said Medvedev, reflecting on taking on Rublev, having extended his head-to-head record to 8-2. “I think I handled it well. I played good in the important moments and I’m really happy with my level.”

The 30-year-old, adding to his 2026 Brisbane and Dubai triumphs, also moves back into the season-ending ATP Finals contention, where he currently sits in eighth in the prestigious ‘Race to Turin.’

ADF doubles up

What a turnaround by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Remember the Spaniard was enduring a torrid time in ATP title clashes? The 27-year-old lost his first five ATP Tour trophy shootouts, including a heart-wrenching loss at Washington 2025, when he let three championship points slip through his fingers.

Well, the world No.26 banished those demons with a maiden title breakthrough in Mallorca back in June. ‘ADF’ has now backed that up in Chengdu this week with a finely-poised 6-4, 7-6(7) passage past Hubert Hurkacz.

Davidovich Fokina hadn’t competed since July due to a back injury, but burst back on the scene in China with a particularly clutch finish, claiming six of the last seven points from 3-6 down in the tie-break to clinch his second trophy of the season.

"After that win in Mallorca, I released all the bad energy that I had in finals," admitted Davidovich Fokina. "I now know how to deal with the pressure in the tight moments. It was a little bit tight in the tie-break, but I knew I would have my chance."

Fernandez makes statement reaching six

Leylah Fernandez evidently relishes competing on the Asian Swing.

The Canadian now has six WTA titles and half of those have been secured in Asia; Hong Kong 2023, Osaka 2025 and then Singapore 2026.

On Sunday, Fernandez joined the winner’s circle by rattling through the final nine games in a 7-5, 6-0 scoreline against Australia’s first-time finalist Talia Gibson.

It’s been a highly impressive showing from the US Open 2021 runner-up, who dispatched Roland-Garros champion and top seed Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 7-5 in the quarter-finals prior to flipping the script with RG26 finalist Maja Chwalinska 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.

"This gives me a lot of confidence, but I do know that the very next day I have to start from zero," Fernandez told reporters on Sunday. "Another big tournament starts. Beijing is not an easy tournament, with so many top players. So, it's just going to get tougher from here on out.

"But seeing that I was able to go through this type of adversity this week gives me the belief that I can do it again."

First time bliss for Birrell

Like Davidovich Fokina, Kimberly Birrell has endured final heartbreak on two previous occasions.

Well, third time ‘lucky’ for Birrell in Seoul with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over fellow green and gold talent Maya Joint, in the first WTA all-Australian singles final since 2017.

As a reward, Birrell cracked the Top 50 for the first time with her long-awaited maiden triumph.

The Australian took to social media to toast her milestone moment: "3rd times the charm, wow," posted the world No.41. "Not enough thank you’s can be said to all the people who have sacrificed, believed (sometimes more than me) and pushed for this moment - a culmination of so much hard work. I really appreciate all of the messages of support from near and far. Thank you now onto the next!!!"