Medvedev all smiles after dominating Rublev to win Dubai Tennis Championships title

The day before their showdown in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final, Daniil Medvedev posted on social media a photo of himself alongside Andrey Rublev from their junior days. Medvedev was holding the winner's trophy, Rublev the runners-up – neither player looked overly joyed.

Fast forward however many years later and there was plenty for Medvedev to smile about on Saturday evening as the Russian third seed produced a masterclass to defeat his long-time friend, rival, and Davis Cup teammate 6-2, 6-2 and clinch the Dubai title.

It cements Medvedev as the hottest player on the ATP Tour, victory stretching his winning run to 14 matches and ensuring a third title from his three most recent tournaments following triumphs in Rotterdam and Doha.

"The way I played these three tournaments was top level," said Medvedev, who ended Novak Djokovic's unbeaten start to the season in the semi-finals. "Especially Dubai was probably the best out of the three.

"I was really playing well. Beating Novak and Andrey, the scoreline I managed to do, the confidence I managed to do it, was amazing. So right now I'm feeling amazing."

This sensational run of form also emphatically confirms Medvedev's return to the peak of his powers after a curious dip at the end of last season, and a slow start to this year, saw the former world No 1 drop out of the top 10.

Forget the rankings, Medvedev is the best player in the world right now and he has a great opportunity to surge back towards the top when the hardcourt season continues in the United States this month. With a third-round exit at Indian Wells and a quarter-final in Miami – both Masters 1000 events – last year, the world No 7 doesn't have all that many ranking points to defend and will