DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Daniil Medvedev produced a clinical 6-2, 6-1 performance against Jenson Brooksby on Thursday to advance to his third Dubai semifinal and book a showdown with Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The former world No. 1 boasts 22 career titles but has never won the same tournament twice. He is trying to change that this week in Dubai, where he lifted the trophy in 2023.

“I felt great. I know that maybe he had some issues, shoulder or elbow, I’m not sure, but his first serve was not going as probably he can usually do,” said Medvedev, who is seeking a second title of the season to go with the one he won in Brisbane.

“But you still need to play, you still need to put the returns in. He’s a big fighter.”

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing here and I’m looking forward to the semis.”

In what was his second career meeting with Brooksby, two breaks of serve helped Medvedev scoop the opening set in just 28 minutes.

The third-seeded Russian kept up his momentum in the second, breaking early and cruising towards victory in just 57 minutes.

Medvedev advanced to the 53rd hardcourt semifinal of his career, trailing just Novak Djokovic among active players.

He said ahead of the tournament he is searching for consistency, something that came to him easier when he was younger, playing care-free tennis without much overthinking.

“I think there were moments in my career where I was better prepared. Funny enough, less with experience... You know how they say, rookies get lucky,” added Medvedev on Thursday.

“Everything was new. I just didn’t care, I was just playing the way I felt it. Now I have a lot of thoughts in my head, which can help me sometimes, but sometimes I need to get rid of them to play better.”

The 30-year-old former US Open champion will next take on top-seeded Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Czech eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).

Auger-Aliassime, 25, punched his ticket to a second straight Dubai semi-final with a one hour, 52-minute dismissal of Lehecka.

The Canadian world No. 8 has made the quarterfinals or better at 10 of his last 11 tournaments, and has won 11 of the 12 matches he contested this month — a stretch that includes a title run in Montpellier and a runner-up showing in Rotterdam.

Auger-Aliassime put on a serving masterclass on Thursday, firing 16 aces and winning 83 per cent of his first-serve points.

He is wary of his next opponent though, given his inferior 2-7 head-to-head record against Medvedev.

“I feel good, but sport goes fast. Maybe tomorrow night I’m sitting and you’re saying that I’m not playing that good,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“I’m going to come with a game plan, but he’s going to come with his as well. And we’ll see who gets the better of the match. But I fear his level a lot.”

Later on center court, Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev maintained his unbeaten record against Arthur Rinderknech with a 6-2, 6-4 result, his fourth win in as many meetings with the Frenchman.

Rublev joins Roger Federer and Djokovic as the only players to have reached five semifinals in Dubai.

On Friday, the 28-year-old Rublev will square off with Tallon Griekspoor, who matched his run to the final four from last year by ousting in-form sixth seed Jakub Mensik 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.