Medvedev Overcomes Tsitsipas in Straight Sets
Daniil Medvedev advanced to the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-5 on Wednesday. The fifth-seeded Russian became only the fourth player — after Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray — to reach the last eight of the tournament in three consecutive years. Medvedev, the 2019 Shanghai champion, improved his head-to-head record against Tsitsipas to 11-5 and his lifetime record in the Chinese city to 17-5. He hit eight aces and won 33 of 39 first-serve points, never facing a break point while breaking the Greek's serve once in each set.[S1][S2]
Medvedev described the court conditions as unusually fast, saying he needed to reset because it was completely different from what he had played on before. He added that the speed helped him, that he played aggressively and put a lot of pressure on his opponent. The match lacked the verbal flare-ups that have marked previous meetings between the two, including their 2022 Australian Open semifinal. Medvedev's victory also solidified what is effectively seventh place in the Race to Turin standings, leaving him 205 points behind Arthur Fils, who is currently sixth when accounting for Jannik Sinner's withdrawal. Alex de Minaur sits eighth, with Novak Djokovic ninth. The last event before the ATP Finals qualification cutoff is the Paris Masters.[S1][S2]
Jodar and Other Results
Rafael Jodar also reached the quarterfinals, coming from a set down for the third consecutive match. The 20-year-old Spaniard, seeded 12th, defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2. He had previously made comebacks to beat Thiago Agustin Tirante in the second round and Jiri Lehecka in the third round. Jodar received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct during the match. Next up for him at the Masters 1000 event is Casper Ruud, who progressed after fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime retired from their match with a suspected knee injury when trailing 5-2 in the first set.[S1]
Tommy Paul takes on Zizou Bergs, who beat Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, later for the right to play Medvedev. Paul got past Bergs 7-6(5), 6-4 on Wednesday. The lineup for the quarterfinals in the top half of the draw was set on Tuesday: it will be top-seeded Alexander Zverev against Alex de Minaur and Arthur Gea against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Medvedev is the sixth man to reach four or more Shanghai quarterfinals.[S1][S2]
