Daniil Medvedev swings a tennis racket during the 2026 Hangzhou Open. [Photo/Tide News]

Top seed Daniil Medvedev defeated second seed Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-4 in the men's singles final of the 2026 Hangzhou Open at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Tennis Center in Zhejiang province on Sept 29, claiming his third title of the season and the 24th of his career.

The all-Russian final pitted two 30-year-old rivals — and close friends — against each other. World No 6 Medvedev reached the final by beating compatriot Roman Safiullin, while Rublev advanced with a win over France's Clement Jacquet.

Despite a weekday evening start, the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Tennis Center was packed with local fans. Medvedev produced 23 aces, including 14 in the opening set, and broke Rublev in the 12th game to take the first set. He maintained his serving form in the second to seal the victory 6-4.

The title marks another step in Medvedev's return to form after a difficult two-year stretch. He won no tour titles in 2024 and fell outside the world's top 10 at the end of 2025, missing the ATP Finals after six consecutive appearances.

His 2026 campaign has brought renewed momentum, with titles in Brisbane and Dubai before his Hangzhou triumph. He will next compete at the China Open in Beijing before heading to Shanghai, with the ATP Finals remaining one of his goals for the season.