Daniil Medvedev overcame Tommy Paul in three sets to reach the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.

The fifth seed won 6-3 1-6 6-3 in two hours and nine minutes to reach the last four of the competition for the third time.

Paul blinked first in the opening set as Medvedev broke ahead in game five, but the latter then incredibly saved seven break points in the following game before winning the first with another break.

Medvedev conceded another seven break points in the second, but this time Paul converted on three occasions to force a decider.

However, the Russian was back to his best in the third, starting the set with a break of serve and winning 91% of his first-serve points throughout before sealing victory with his second match point.

Medvedev will face Rafael Jodar for a spot in the showpiece after the Spaniard came from a set down to defeat Casper Ruud 4-6 6-4 6-3.

19 - His 19th career ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, Daniil Medvedev has reached this stage after losing his opening set at the event for just the second time, after going on to claim tournament victory in Toronto in 2021. Blip. #RolexShanghaiMasters | @SH_RolexMasters @atptour https://t.co/L2rA0ziQjg

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) October 16, 2026

Medvedev thriving in the Far East

Medvedev's mid-match blip allowed Paul back into the contest, but the fifth seed regained his composure on serve, ending the contest with 16 aces while Paul committed 37 unforced errors.

Now into his 19th career ATP-1000 level semi-final, Medvedev has reached this stage after losing his opening set at the event for just the second time, after going on to claim tournament victory in Toronto in 2021.

And the 30-year-old is enjoying the Asian swing, now boasting an 11-1 record in China over the past month after winning the Hangzhou Open and reaching the semi-finals in Beijing.

However, he will face a stern test against 20-year-old Jodar, who has reached a fifth tour-level semi-final in his debut season.

Jodar has now jumped above Novak Djokovic and Alex De Minaur in the ATP Live Race To Turin, and victory over Medvedev will only help his chances of reaching the year-end finals.