Daniil Medvedev is safely through to the Shanghai Masters round of 16 after his round of 32 win over Matteo Arnaldi.
Medvedev made the semi-finals of the China Open before heading to the Shanghai Masters, losing in the former to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Russian wasn’t happy during his clash with the Spaniard in Beijing, with Medvedev angered by the Hawk-Eye system against Alcaraz.
But he has seemingly put that defeat behind him as he eyes a strong run in Shanghai, where Novak Djokovic thinks good servers have an advantage.
An early shock was on the cards against Arnaldi, with the Italian 29th seed taking the first set 7-5 against the Russian.
Daniil Medvedev calls tennis ‘funny’ and ‘crazy’ after latest Shanghai Masters win
But Medvedev recovered to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-4, securing a fourth-round spot at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
As quoted by the ATP website, he has analysed the two-hour 44-minute match, saying: “It was a very tough match, a very close one. I actually felt like that’s where tennis is funny.
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“I felt like in the first set, I was probably the better player, had more opportunities. I didn’t manage to [win] it, played a bad game at the end of the set.
“In the other sets, I thought it was closer. Maybe even he had the edge on some of the moments, but that’s why tennis is crazy.
“You can win when you don’t expect it, and lose when you expect to win, so I’m happy to be here again in two days.”
Daniil Medvedev chasing career history at the Shanghai Masters
With no titles in 2024, Medvedev will be eyeing a strong finish to his season, beginning with success at the Shanghai Masters.
But that won’t be easy given the level of competition involved, and indeed with PIF ATP Live Race To Turin points on the line.
Medvedev is, however, in a strong position to clinch a sixth successive spot for the season finale, with the Russian currently fourth in the standings.
READ MORE: Daniil Medvedev shares what he told Carlos Alcaraz at the net after China Open defeat
Success certainly could be on the cards at the tournament given his 9-3 record in Shanghai, as he looks to lift the same tour-level trophy twice for the very first time.
Such a record won’t be on his mind at this moment in time, however, with Medvedev simply needing to focus on his next match.
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