Daniil Medvedev has managed to navigate through a challenging second-round match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, bringing himself one step closer to the quarterfinals of the penultimate ATP 1000 event of the season. After a tense encounter, Medvedev was able to defeat rising American star Learner Tien with a score of 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4, despite battling cramps that threatened to derail his performance.
The match was a rematch of their recent bout in Beijing, where Medvedev had to retire due to a similar issue. This time, however, he pushed through the discomfort, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. “I thought I was going to lose. I was cramping again, and I’m just super happy to manage to do it,” Medvedev admitted after his hard-fought victory that lasted just over two hours.
The contest showcased a series of twists and turns, with Medvedev initially serving for the first set at 5-4, only to see Tien fight back, leading to a tightly contested tiebreaker. In the second set, Medvedev jumped to a 3-0 lead, but Tien, who is just 19 years old and ranked in the top 50, clawed his way back to force another tiebreak, where he capitalized on Medvedev’s physical struggles.
Despite the cramps, Medvedev managed to regain composure during the changeover after losing the second set. He returned revitalized, breaking Tien in the ninth game of the deciding set, which set the stage for him to serve for the match and secure a place in the quarterfinals for the third time this season.
Looking ahead, Medvedev will face Australian Alex de Minaur, who reached his own quarterfinal after defeating Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2. De Minaur’s performance also marked his 50th win of the season, making him only the third player to achieve this milestone, joining the notable company of Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz.
De Minaur expressed pride in his consistency throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of showing up week after week. He demonstrated solid form against Borges, recording 19 winners while keeping unforced errors to a minimum, reflecting a disciplined approach on court.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Felix Auger-Aliassime ensured his place in the last eight with an impressive victory over Lorenzo Musetti, defeating the Italian 6-4, 6-2. Auger-Aliassime’s performance showcased a resurgence in form, as he effectively executed his game plan and managed to serve well, saving all three break points he faced.
Additionally, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech reached his first Masters quarterfinal after overcoming Jiri Lehecka with a score of 6-3, 7-6(5).
As the tournament progresses, the quarterfinal matchups will feature exciting clashes, including Medvedev versus De Minaur and the highly anticipated showdown between Novak Djokovic and Zizou Bergs. The stakes are high as players look to solidify their positions ahead of the ATP Finals later this season.
