Medvedev Beats Tsitsipas to Reach Shanghai Masters Quarter-Finals
Daniil Medvedev beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-5 in straight sets on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters. The fifth seed did not face a single break point in one hour and 24 minutes, setting up a last-eight meeting with American Tommy Paul.
It was the 16th tour meeting between the pair, and Medvedev improved his head-to-head record to 11 wins against the 28-year-old Greek. The 30-year-old Russian is chasing a second Shanghai title after winning the tournament in 2019.
Control from the first ball
“I felt like I was playing very well today,” Medvedev said. “I put a lot of pressure on him in the first set. Second set, different story. Very tight one. I’m happy that I managed to get some good returns, get some good rhythm.”
The key break came at 6-5 in the second set, when Medvedev finally pierced the Tsitsipas serve and closed out the match at the first time of asking. Tsitsipas never threatened a return break, and the result continued Medvedev’s comfort against an opponent he has dominated for years.
The medvedev tsitsipas shanghai masters clash also underlined the Russian’s form in a tournament that has already delivered surprises. Second seed Carlos Alcaraz crashed out earlier in the week, and the draw has opened for the higher seeds who remain.
Paul waits after Bergs upset
Medvedev’s quarter-final opponent Tommy Paul beat Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. Bergs, ranked 39th, was coming off the biggest win of his career against Alcaraz, but Paul held his nerve in the first-set tiebreak.
“I know sometimes it’s hard to back up a big win,” Paul said. Bergs narrowed a 0-4 deficit to trail by one game in the second set, raising his level, but the American served out the match.
Drama elsewhere in the draw
Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar beat Botic van de Zandschulp 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-2 to reach his quarter-final, but the win was not without incident. Jodar received a code violation in the second set for swearing at a ball boy in Spanish while asking for a towel.
Jodar will face Casper Ruud, the world number 24, who advanced when fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime retired hurt while trailing 2-5 in the first set. Ruud told reporters the Canadian appeared to twist his knee in the fourth game. “It seemed to me that he maybe twisted his knee, it looked like he kind of stumbled a bit with a wrong step,” Ruud said. “From that moment it seemed like he was in a lot of pain.”
Auger-Aliassime took a medical timeout after the fifth game and returned with white strapping around his left knee before calling it off.
What next in Shanghai
Medvedev is the most experienced quarter-finalist left in the draw, and with the year-end number one spot already decided in Alexander Zverev’s favour after Alcaraz’s early exit, the remaining seeds are playing for the title itself. The Russian’s serving and return numbers this week suggest he is the man to beat, but Paul has the game to test anyone on a fast hard court.
FAQ
Who did Medvedev beat in the Shanghai Masters?
Daniil Medvedev beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-5 in the round of 16. He did not face a single break point in the one-hour, 24-minute match.
Who does Medvedev play in the quarter-final?
Medvedev faces American Tommy Paul, who beat Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in his round-of-16 match.
Why did Auger-Aliassime retire?
Fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime retired while trailing Casper Ruud 2-5 in the first set after appearing to twist his knee. He had white strapping around his left knee when he returned from a medical timeout.
Has Medvedev won Shanghai before?
Yes. Medvedev won the Shanghai Masters in 2019 and is bidding for a second title at the tournament.
