Roger Federer has made a successful start to the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. The defending champion defeats the Russian Daniil Medvedev in three sets and meets Roberto Bautista-Agut in the round of 16.
Difficult start for Roger Federer, who took first place in the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. The 20-time Major winner defeated Daniil Medvedev 6:4, 4:6 and 6:4 at his first appearance.
Federer got off to a good start, taking Medvedev off his first service game. However, he allowed his opponent to make a comeback 2:2 – even though Federer had led 40:15 on his own serve. In the ninth game, however, the favourite struck again and served the set after 35 minutes. And this despite the fact that Federer won only 14 percent of the points after the second serve.
In the second half, the match was balanced until 5:4 for Medvedev, then Federer showed weaknesses as a serve and had to accept set compensation after 70 minutes. Medvedev had an early break chance in the decision, Federer fended off with a strong serve. But immediately afterwards he gave away his chance to take away his opponent’s serve with a distorted forehand.
In the ninth game, however, Federer struck and put Medvedev under so much pressure that the Russian didn’t get the ball into the field.
It was Roger Federer’s first appearance in a regular competition game since his outing against John Millman at the US Open, and since then the Basel bidder has only shown himself at the Laver Cup – defeating Nick Kyrgios and John Isner there.
Medvedev, on the other hand, came to Shanghai with the recommendation to win the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Tokyo. The Russian had defeated local hero Kei Nishikori in the final.
Federer will meet Roberto Bautista-Agut in the round of 16 on Thursday. The Spaniard had prevailed against US qualifier Mackenzie McDonald in three sets.
Here the single tableau in Shanghai