Medvedev reaches sixth final in a row to set up Zverev clash
SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — Dominant Daniil Medvedev reached a staggering sixth final in a row but will need to beat Alexander Zverev for the first time to win the Shanghai Masters today.
The US Open finalist defeated fellow rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.
In the other semi-final yesterday, Germany’s Zverev eased past Matteo Berrettini of Italy 6-3, 6-4 in a showdown between two more budding talents.
With Roger Federer and world number one Novak Djokovic ousted in the quarter-finals on Friday, the next generation of men’s tennis stars has made its mark in China.
The 23-year-old Russian Medvedev embellished his fast-growing reputation with a fifth victory in as many matches against Tsitsipas, 21.
In contrast, he is yet to overcome the 22-year-old Zverev in four attempts.
“I did say before this year and during this year in the beginning that Sascha (Zverev) was the best in our ‘Next Gen’ group,” the world number four said.
“Positions have changed a little bit so I think I can contest him right now.”
The seventh-ranked Tsitsipas, who dumped out defending champion Djokovic in three sets on Friday, said that Medvedev’s formidable serve had been the difference.
Sixth-ranked Zverev, long touted as the man most likely to join the “Big Three” of Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, has had a disappointing year, winning only one title.
But the German defeated 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer on Friday and took that momentum into his last-four clash with the 23-year-old Berrettini.
Nadal, the world number two and winner over Medvedev at Flushing Meadows, is not in Shanghai because of a wrist injury.