Daniil Medvedev will look for revenge against 2025 Nemesis learner Tien in the fourth round in Shanghai on Wednesday. Lorenzo Musetti will also be in action against a Resurgent Felix Auger-Aliassime.
(16) Daniil Medvedev vs. Learner Tien
Learner Tien burst onto the scene at the Australian Open earlier this season. The 19-year-old American teenager battled his way through qualifying and made the 16-year-old round. Ironically, he beat Daniil Medvedev in Melbourne. He also defeated the struggling Russian in the week of the Beijing semi-finals, giving him a notable 2-0 record. Tien has since endured an inconsistent season. He was close to Winless over Clay (1-6) and met Novak Djokovic in the first round of the US Open. It came this fall, however, with a quarterfinal result in Hangzhou, a final appearance in Beijing, and at least a fourth-round showing in this Rolex Shanghai Masters. Tien sits at a career-high on top of the world.
Medvedev has had a difficult year. The 16th seed has suffered first-round defeats at every major and the one-time world No. 1 is ranked No. 18 right now. Medvedev had a fitness problem against Tien last week in Beijing, forcing him to withdraw with severe cramps. He at least managed to post a pair of straight wins over Dalibor Svrcina and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina earlier this fortnight. With more heat, humidity and slow, lumpy courts, Medvedev could well be vulnerable against Tien for the second tournament in a row.
Pickl cheryl: Hold in 3
Ricky Pick: Medvedev in 3
(8) Lorenzo Musetti vs (12) Felix Auger-Aliassime
Felix Auger-Aliassime had an impressive resurgence at the US Open last month. The world No. 13 played inspired tennis to upset two top players (Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur) and world No. 15 Andrey Rublev. Shanghai is the first Canadian tournament since its semi-final in New York.
He will face familiar foe Lorenzo Musetti on Wednesday. The Italian moved to the United States, but unlike Auger-Aliassime, he has played a lot of tennis since. Musetti holds a slim 4-3 head-to-head record, but he has won their two most recent matches, including a three-set success at the Miami Masters earlier this season. Musetti was forced to retire in Beijing last week. He played well enough in Shanghai, but fatigue may start to become a factor. Slow courts can neutralize some of Auger-Aliassime’s weapons, but I give the nod to the Canadian this time.
Cheryl Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Ricky Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 3
