Stefanos Tsitsipas has set the stage for a highly anticipated clash with Daniil Medvedev after defeating Alexandre Muller 6-3, 7-5 in the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday. This matchup will mark their 14th encounter and their first meeting in nearly a year, with Medvedev leading the head-to-head series 9-4.
Despite their history of intense competition, Tsitsipas expressed newfound respect for Medvedev. “I consider him someone that I respect on the tour, much more than I did before,” Tsitsipas said. He acknowledged their past confrontations but emphasized their growth: “We’ve had some heated things on the court in the past, but those things have resolved themselves over time. My whole goal is to get out there and play the best tennis that I can.”
After enduring a two-day rain delay, Tsitsipas displayed composure throughout his match against Muller, though he faced a brief setback when he lost serve at 5-3 in the second set. However, he swiftly broke back to secure the victory and reignite their six-year rivalry.
In other matches, No. 16-ranked Ben Shelton advanced with a straight-sets win over Roberto Carballes Baena, firing eight aces and 24 winners. Shelton will face top seed Jannik Sinner in the fourth round. Seventh-ranked Taylor Fritz also progressed easily, defeating Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile, Grigor Dimitrov marked a milestone by competing in his 100th Masters event, overcoming Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (5), 6-3.
In a noteworthy upset, Gael Monfils triumphed over 15th-ranked Ugo Humbert in an all-French showdown, winning 7-6 (7), 2-6, 6-1. The 38-year-old Monfils, currently ranked 46th, became the second oldest player to reach the Shanghai fourth round, following Roger Federer, who was also 38 during his run in 2019. Monfils will face second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz next, noting the challenge ahead: “Carlos is in a confident mood, having just won a tournament, so that’s going to be a tough one for sure.”
Tomas Machac, who reached the semifinals in Tokyo, defeated Australia’s Alexander Vukic 6-4, 6-2 and will face No. 13-ranked Tommy Paul in the next round.
Later in the day, four-time champion Novak Djokovic was scheduled to face Flavio Cobolli in a bid to capture his 100th tour-level title. Third-ranked Alexander Zverev is also in action against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in a night match.
In the women’s draw, Katerina Siniakova secured a decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory over Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, setting up a second-round match against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. The second-ranked Sabalenka, who won the title in 2019, needs to reach the quarterfinals at Wuhan to reclaim the top spot in the rankings from Iga Swiatek, who withdrew from the Asian swing due to fatigue and personal reasons.
Other notable winners included Magda Linette, who dominated No. 23-ranked Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 6-2, and Ekaterina Alexandrova, who edged out former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
After breaking a 24-match losing streak at the China Open, Zhang Shuai’s luck did not hold in Wuhan, where she lost to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-4 in the first round.
The top eight seeds, including Sabalenka and China Open champion Coco Gauff, received first-round byes as the tournament progresses.
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