Thu Feb 27 17:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Medvedev Cruises into Dubai Championships Quarterfinals Despite Blazing Serves
**Dubai, UAE** – Top seed Daniil Medvedev advanced to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Championships on Wednesday, overcoming the powerful serves of 21-year-old Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Medvedev, the reigning Dubai champion, attributed his success to relying on instinct rather than strategy against Mpetshi Perricard’s serves, which frequently exceeded 143 mph. “You don’t have any time, so it’s pure reflexes,” Medvedev explained. “If you don’t return it, you’re not even disappointed.”
Medvedev secured a break in each set, capitalizing on Mpetshi Perricard’s 44 unforced errors – double the number of winners he produced. The Frenchman failed to generate a single break point opportunity.
Medvedev will next face Tallon Griekspoor, who defeated defending champion Ugo Humbert in a three-set thriller (4-6, 6-3, 6-2). Another quarterfinal matchup will see veteran Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, take on Felix Auger-Aliassime. Cilic secured his spot by overcoming Alexei Popyrin 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 after upsetting second-seed Alex de Minaur in the first round.
First Piper 