Medvedev Reaches Shanghai Masters Semi-Finals as Jodar Stuns Ruud
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Daniil Medvedev advanced to the Shanghai Masters semi-finals after defeating American Tommy Paul in three sets, while Spain’s Rafael Jodar continued his impressive breakthrough season with a comeback victory over Casper Ruud on Friday.
Former world number one Medvedev defeated 15th seed Paul 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the quarter-final at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. The Russian fifth seed delivered 16 aces and 31 winners during the two-hour, eight-minute contest.
Medvedev recovered strongly after losing the second set, taking control of the deciding set to secure his place in the last four. The victory also improved his head-to-head record against Paul to five wins in six meetings.
The 30-year-old reached the 70th tour-level semi-final of his career, strengthening his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin. He won the Hangzhou title last month and remains the only former Shanghai Masters champion in the tournament, having lifted the trophy in 2019.
Medvedev will now face Jodar for the first time. In the other semi-final, top seed Alexander Zverev is scheduled to meet Spanish player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Speaking about his upcoming opponent, Medvedev praised Jodar’s powerful game and said he would focus on producing his best tennis.
Jodar Continues Remarkable Shanghai Run
Twenty-year-old Jodar booked his place in the semi-finals by defeating Norway’s Ruud 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Spaniard became the youngest semi-finalist in Shanghai Masters history and recorded his fourth consecutive comeback victory after losing the opening set at the tournament.
Jodar, the 12th seed, broke Ruud five times across the final two sets to turn the match around. After securing a decisive break late in the second set, he maintained his aggressive approach in the decider, breaking the Norwegian three more times to complete the win in two hours and 20 minutes.
The result added another major achievement to Jodar’s breakthrough season on the ATP Tour. Having been ranked outside the world’s top 900 little more than a year ago, he climbed into the top 50 in April after winning his maiden ATP title in Morocco and reaching the Barcelona semi-finals.
The young Spaniard subsequently reached the quarter-finals in Madrid and Rome before progressing to the last eight at the French Open, where eventual champion Zverev ended his campaign.
His Shanghai performance marks his fifth tour-level semi-final of the season and his second at a Masters 1000 event, following his run in Montreal.
Jodar said he was pleased with his progress but acknowledged that there was still room for improvement. He added that he intended to maintain his form and make the most of the remaining tournaments in his first full season on the ATP Tour.
With Medvedev bringing experience and a former championship record into their semi-final, the clash against the rising Spanish star promises to be a major test for both players.
