Daniil Medvedev secured his spot in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters with a straight-sets win over Alex de Minaur.

Medvedev, who won the tournament in 2019, won 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 53 minutes in what proved to be a physical encounter.

Both players started strongly on serve, but Medvedev broke to love in the fifth game before saving five break points on his way to winning the first set.

In a match that saw over 30 rallies totalling at least nine shots, Medvedev was clinical on serve. 

He won 15 of 16 first-serve points in the second set, going on to break De Minaur in the ninth game before clinching victory with his first match point.

“I was super tired and I knew against Alex, like against Learner [Tien], we would have long points,” said Medvedev.

“I think in the third or fourth game we had a couple and I thought it was going to be a long day, but I am happy with the way I played.

“I was really clutch in the important moments and hitting the ball great and putting him under pressure.

"The second set was tight, but I found my best at the end. I am really happy with the level.”

50 - Daniil Medvedev has claimed his 50th career ATP top 10 win, becoming just the second player born since 1990 to achieve the feat after Alexander Zverev (56). Octopus.#RolexShanghaiMasters | @SH_RolexMasters @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/P5OnGXtpeL

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) October 10, 2025

Medvedev will face Arthur Rinderknech in the last four after he defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Rinderknech, the cousin of fellow Shanghai semi-finalist Valentin Vacherot, cruised to a 6-3 6-4 victory to continue his excellent run.

“The whole family is following from home. We are in our own little world here,” said Rinderknech.

“It has been incredible and today was a good performance from myself and I am happy it was straight sets, so I am not too tired for tomorrow.”

Data Debrief: Medvedev aiming to break tour-level duck

Medvedev is hoping to win his first tour-level title since his triumph in Rome in 2023, and this could be his best opportunity to do so.

He has now reached 50 tour-level semi-finals on hard courts, while 18 of his 20 titles have also come on the surface.

Medvedev’s win over De Minaur also marked his 50th career triumph against ATP top-10 players, becoming the second player born since 1990 to achieve the feat, after Alexander Zverev (56).