Daniil Medvedev has warmed up for the Australian Open with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Brandon Nakashima to win the Brisbane International.

The victory is Medvedev's first in a season-opening tournament since winning Sydney in 2018.

The three-time beaten Australian Open finalist was not at his best, but didn't need to be against the former junior world number three, completing a 6-2, 7-6 (1) in an hour and 34 minutes.

"I came here to play this tournament here and not just to prepare for the Australian Open or something," Medvedev said.

"I came here to try to start the season strong. 

"To start strong after the good preparation, it's important for self confidence, so I'm happy with it. 

"I'm looking forward to, of course, for the next tournament, which is Australian Open."

It is his 22nd title, all of which have been won in different tournaments.

Daniil Medvedev has won 22 ATP-level trophies, never winning the same tournament twice. (Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)

Medvedev flew out of the blocks — 3-0 up in the blink of an eye, his first serve firing and Nakashima foundering.

Perhaps it was nerves. Once Nakashima got on the board, he challenged Medvedev's serve for the first time, even going as far as earning a break point.

But a couple of loose errors handed back Medvedev's advantage.

Medvedev's demeanour has been curious all week — reacting to any missed shots with an insouciance more befitting a hit out at the local park than an ATP final.

"The most important is I always stay true to myself," Medvedev said.

"It's my emotions. But I also know that this emotion, they can be fun, they can be a bit too much, but many times they can cost me a bit of energy and a bit of concentration during the match. 

"And so of course, now we said it's better to stay calm. 

"It's easier, but then that's something I couldn't do. So I'm happy that here I managed to find kind of a flow which I was following."

There was irritation though when he double faulted to give Nakashima a break point while serving for the set — and again when he dropped another serve into the net at set point.

But Nakashima was not able to accept those gifts, more unforced errors from the 24-year-old Californian and some blistering aces from Medvedev sealing the set.

When you've been in 40 ATP-level finals before this one, perhaps Medvedev could be excused for keeping his eye on the main prize — Melbourne Park in a week's time.

The Russian was trying out different tactics — if he is to deploy the drop shot in Melbourne it needs more work to be a real test to the very best — even if Nakashima's superb movement was at least partially responsible for Medvedev's looking lacklustre.

But relaxed or not, there was little doubt that Medvedev still possessed the killer touch, pouncing on a loose service game midway through the set to take a telling break at 4-2.

Brandon Nakashima didn't give up after a nervous start. (Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)

But Nakashima didn't quit.

As Medvedev served for the match, Nakashima fought to earn break points; the first with a rousing passing shot that Medvedev saved, the second when Medvedev fell short with a ground stoke.

The crowd roared its approval, hoping for another set of tennis to end its week on a high.

But they were to be disappointed, as Medvedev crushed the tie breaker 7-1 to win a maiden Brisbane title, setting him up nicely for another tilt at the Australian Open.

"I know that when I'm playing good there are not that many players that can beat me easily. Or at all," Medvedev said.

"If I manage to play good in Australia, I'm happy with my chances and then you never know.

"Sometimes a player can make a match of the year against you, or you can get Carlos [Alcaraz], Yannick [Sinner] or I don't know, someone else and they can beat you.

"So I'm happy with the way I'm playing right now. I'm happy with the title and I'm looking forward to next week." 

In the men's doubles match earlier in the day, third seed Portuguese/Austrian pair Francisco Cabral and Lucas Miedler beat British top seeds and defending Brisbane International champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.

On Show Court 1 in the inaugural wheelchair singles competition, British top seed Alfie Hewett beat second seeded Spaniard Martín de la Puente.

World number two Hewett, a 10-time grand slam singles winner — including the defending Australian Open champion — claimed a comfortable victory 6-3, 6-1.

Email address