Daniil Medvedev is battling the godfather of his daughter for a spot in the US Open semifinals

• Daniil Medvedev — the world's third-ranked tennis star — is facing a familiar foe at the US Open.
• The 27-year-old Russian plays compatriot and world No. 8 Andrey Rublev for a spot in the semis.

NEW YORK — Daniil Medvedev is looking to advance to the US Open semifinals for the first time since he won the Grand Slam in 2021.

An extremely familiar opponent stands in his way.

The 27-year-old Russian will face Andrey Rublev — his compatriot and "really close" friend — in Wednesday's quarterfinal in Flushing Meadows. The two are so close, in fact, that Medvedev and his wife, Daria, named him the godfather of their firstborn child.

"We're really close friends," Medvedev said of Rublev after his match on Monday. "We have great relationship. Even if on the court we're big competitors… I think nothing is going to come between us to separate us in real life."

"It's great to have someone like this on tour because sometimes can be not easy," he added. "You travel, travel, travel. To have a friend like this is great."

Medvedev said it was "an easy decision" to choose Rublev as godfather of his nearly 1-year-old daughter, Alisa. The 25-year-old was on hand for the baby's baptism in Monaco back in April, and Medvedev shared photos of himself and his US Open foe to his Instagram.

For his part, Rublev described the pair's relationship as "like a family" thanks to his role in baby Alisa's life. And while they first got to know each other through their sport, Rublev added that their relationship is "already bigger than tennis" at this point.

"We know each other, I don't know, since we were six maybe or something," Rublev said Monday after beating England's Jack Draper in four sets. "We have great relationship. He's super honest, super relaxed. It's super easy to communicate with him. Very humble."

"In the same time he's really, really funny," he added. "Then when you spend time with him, you always have fun."

It remains to be seen whether Rublev — who is looking to reach his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal — will have fun spending time with Medvedev on Wednesday. The two will face off at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the day session, when the temperature is expected to climb to 95 degrees Fahrenheit with an average humidity of 65%.

Regardless of the conditions, Medvedev is certain both players will fight hard for a spot in Friday's semis.

"On the court, we both want to win," he said Monday. "We're not going to be friends in two days."