Medvedev Rockets to Shanghai Semis: 50th Top-10 Win Quietly Shifts the Spotlight
10 October 2025
Match recap
Daniil Medvedev secured another milestone by recording his 50th win over a top-10 opponent, defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, at the Shanghai Masters. The win lifts him into the semifinals for the season’s second Masters 1000 semifinal, highlighting his continued rise on hard courts.
Battle details
The Russian, 29, endured a physically demanding duel with long rallies that tested both players’ endurance. Medvedev leveraged elite precision and a resilient mindset to dominate in crucial moments, improving his numbers in both attack and defense. He finished with 27 winners to 16 for De Minaur and 25 unforced errors to 27, while sealing 15 of 16 first-serve points in the second set to close the match in 1 hour and 53 minutes.
Post-match and next steps
Speaking after the win, Medvedev admitted he was exhausted but pleased with his performance, noting the lengthy exchanges and the ability to grind it out when it mattered most. He stressed that he stayed aggressive in crunch moments and trusted his game plan throughout the match.
Semifinal set-up
Medvedev will meet Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the semifinals, after the 30-year-old stunned Félix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 in 87 minutes to reach his first Masters semifinal. In the other half of the draw, Valentin Fashiro, Medvedev’s cousin, progressed to the semis and will face Novak Djokovic on Saturday.
Broader context
With this victory, Medvedev continues his pursuit of a Masters title, aiming to add another Masters crown to his résumé since Rome 2023. The Shanghai run reinforces his strong hard-court form, a surface on which he has claimed 18 of his 20 career Masters titles. Rinderknech’s breakthrough week adds a notable French presence, while Djokovic remains a looming title favorite on the opposite side of the bracket.
Punchlines
Punchline 1: If Medvedev’s serve had a dating profile, it would say, “Swipe right if you can handle 140 mph with pinpoint accuracy.”
Punchline 2: In the gym of tennis, Medvedev’s backhand is the sniper—one shot, and the crowd learns what real patience looks like.
