Shanghai
Medvedev survives Shanghai shock from Arnaldi
The 2019 champion will face either Tsitsipas or Muller in the fourth round
October 06, 2024
Zhe Ji/Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev defeats Matteo Arnaldi on Sunday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
By ATP staff
Daniil Medvedev dug deep on Sunday to continue his bid to win the first title of 2024 at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
The number 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings cruised to a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Matteo Arnaldi to book his place in the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event. Medvedev held on for victory after two hours and 44 minutes in a thrilling encounter which was filled with extended gatherings.
“It was a very difficult game, very close,” said Medvedev. “Actually I felt like that’s where tennis is funny. I felt like in the first set, I was probably the better player, I had more opportunities. I couldn’t [win] it, played a bad game at the end of the set.
“In some sets, I thought it was close. Maybe even he had the edge at times, but that’s why tennis is crazy. You can win when you least expect it, and lose when you expect to win, so I’m happy to be here again in two days.”
Shanghai special from @DaniilMedwed 🤩@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/djdos1P40E
– ATP Tour (@atptour) October 6, 2024
Medvedev will take on 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexandre Muller next in Shanghai, where he is chasing his first tour-level title since winning Rome in May 2023. The 28-year-old is also looking to take further steps towards -Nitto ATP Finals. degree in China. He is currently fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and is in strong position to seal his place in the prestigious season finale for the sixth consecutive year.
Competing under a roof inside the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena due to rain, Medvedev broke Arnaldi in the opening game of the match but was unable to maintain that momentum early on. The Italian won six of eight games from 1-3 to clinch the opening match as he got off to a good start in his bid to make his debut in the fourth round in Shanghai.
But in trademark fashion, Medvedev found a way to win with the help of improved serving and a decisive, clinical comeback in the ninth game of the deciding set. He took advantage of some late nerves from Arnaldi to go ahead 5-4 before closing out the win to improve to 4-0 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head doubles series.
Medvedev finished the match having won four of his 12 break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He is now 9-3 in Shanghai, where he aims to win two tour-level titles for the first time in his career.
