Rafael Nadal and Tiger Woods took small but significant steps into writing the last chapters of historic careers

Nishikori led 2-1 in their career head-to-head meetings before their showdown on Saturday, having beaten the Russian in the Brisbane final this year. Nishikori, ranked No. 7, is also a two-time champion at the Real Club de Tenis.

But the 23-year-old Medvedev has been surging, having won his third career ATP title in Sofia, and reaching the semifinals in Rotterdam and just last week in Monte Carlo. In Monte Carlo, he upset Stefanos Tsitsipas and scalped world No. 1 Novak Djokovic for the biggest win of his career.

He had to come back from a break down in the third set to secure his tour-leading 25th match win of the year.

Sunday against the winner of Dominic Thiem will mark Medvedev's seventh career final. Medvedev has played Thiem just once, losing in a third-set tiebreaker in St. Petersburg last year.

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