Medvedev ended his losing streak against Lener-Chan and emotionally declared he does not want to leave the world’s best city.

In an intense rollercoaster battle at the Shanghai Rolex Masters men’s singles fourth round last night, Russian star and former champion Medvedev faced a tough challenge. After leading by a large margin early in the second set but then being overtaken, he steadied himself near the set’s end but suffered an unexpected cramp. Ultimately, after nearly three hours of fierce competition, he narrowly defeated American rising star Lener-Chan 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4, securing his first win over him in their third encounter this year.This victory marks the Russian’s third time reaching the quarterfinals at the Shanghai Masters, where he will face the 7th seed, Australian player Deminal.

The match was full of twists and turns. The first set was tightly contested, lasting 75 minutes with many rallies exceeding 30 shots, both players closely matched until a tiebreak. Before the tiebreak, there were eight breaks of serve, and Medvedev barely clinched the set but was nearly drained physically. In the second set, Medvedev started strong with a big lead but was gradually overtaken by the resilient young American, losing five consecutive games. Near the set’s end, as Medvedev regained composure and broke Lener-Chan’s serve to enter the tiebreak, disaster struck with a severe leg cramp that worried all spectators.

After some on-court stretching to ease the pain, Medvedev continued despite obvious discomfort. He managed only one point in the tiebreak, losing the second set. In the deciding set, he displayed the toughness and experience of a champion, enduring pressure and physical distress to secure a crucial break in the ninth game, ultimately sealing the victory.

An interesting moment occurred during the match. After receiving a warning from the umpire for serving too slowly due to cramping, Medvedev voiced his frustration: “In my whole life, I’ve always waited for Rafa when serving, sometimes up to 55 seconds. But the first time I do it, I get a warning. I’ve played Rafa five times and never was I ready to serve while he was ready to receive. He never got a time violation.” This statement not only showed his trademark bluntness but also expressed dissatisfaction with what he perceived as unfair officiating.

After the match, Medvedev highly praised the 19-year-old Lener-Chan, a compliment coming from a Grand Slam champion that carries significant weight.“He might be the toughest opponent I’ve faced besides Alcaraz and Sinner,” Medvedev admitted. “His serve isn’t fast, but his court awareness is exceptional, which is so unique in tennis. He can only improve, and today I cramped again and didn’t feel like I had a chance to win...”Such praise not only highlights Lener-Chan’s immense potential but also explains why the match was so challenging. Medvedev’s cramping was not accidental but a result of the relentless pressure from his opponent.

After winning, Medvedev wrote a heartfelt message to the camera: “I don’t want to leave the best city in the world yet!”

This gesture immediately won cheers and resonance from the Shanghai crowd. It’s not the first time Medvedev has expressed his love for Shanghai, but this straightforward and sincere way still touched many. As a key part of the Asian season, the Shanghai Rolex Masters has always been highly regarded by players, and Medvedev’s message is undoubtedly the best tribute to both the tournament and the city.

Medvedev’s quarterfinal opponent is the 7th seed Deminal, with their head-to-head record standing at 7 wins to 4 losses in Medvedev’s favor. Their most recent meeting was at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters, where Deminal won 6-2, 6-2.

Deminal has been in solid form at this Shanghai Masters, previously defeating Bowers in straight sets to advance and becoming the third player this season to reach 50 wins (behind Alcaraz and Fritz). The Australian is known for his exceptional movement and defensive resilience, which will be a tough physical test for Medvedev, who recently struggled with cramping.

However, judging by Medvedev’s heartfelt declaration about Shanghai, he has a strong desire to stay and continue competing here. This emotional motivation might help him overcome his physical challenges and keep moving forward in “the best city in the world.”(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)