Daniil Medvedev recovered from a shaky spell to defeat Tommy Paul 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 on Friday, booking a place in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals. He will now face Rafael Jodar, the 20-year-old Spaniard who is the youngest player to reach the Shanghai last four since the event began in 2009.
Medvedev, the 2019 Shanghai champion, struggled with his serve at times. The 30-year-old saved seven break points in a lengthy sixth game, then broke to take the opening set when Paul sent a shot long.
Paul fights back but Medvedev closes it out
The 18th-ranked Paul played with renewed energy in the second set, defending well as Medvedev was pushed around the court. He capitalised when Medvedev double-faulted twice in a must-win game, forcing a third set.
Medvedev, ranked sixth, moved into a 2-0 lead in the decider and kept his momentum to the end. He broke again and sealed victory on his second match point.
Jodar overcomes Ruud after losing a set
Earlier, 13th-ranked Jodar beat Norway’s Casper Ruud 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. It was the fourth time in a row this week that he had recovered from losing the first set.
Ruud took the opener with a powerful forehand into the corner. Jodar then produced a spectacular over-the-shoulder smash that thrilled the crowd, and after dropping that game he held his nerve, won a key break point and closed out the second set at the first attempt.
Ruud, ranked 24th, saved three match points in the third set but double-faulted to hand Jodar the win. “Casper is a very tough player,” Jodar said afterwards. “I had to give my best level today to win this match.”
Top seed Alexander Zverev meets Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the other semi-final on Saturday.
