How did Daniil Medvedev bounce back at the Shanghai Masters after his controversial disqualification?​

The former world number one overcame a difficult opening set to secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in Shanghai, marking an important return to competition following one of the most controversial incidents of his career.

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Medvedev’s performance demonstrated his ability to recover from an early setback, with 21 aces helping him overcome the 59th-ranked German.

The victory was particularly significant because his disqualification in Beijing had cost him all ranking points and prize money from the tournament.

The incident also renewed debate about player conduct, tournament regulations and the consequences of hitting balls toward spectators.

News.Az examines how Medvedev secured his comeback victory, what happened during his controversial Beijing exit and what the result could mean for his Shanghai Masters campaign.

How did Medvedev overcome Jan-Lennard Struff at the Shanghai Masters?

Daniil Medvedev began his Shanghai Masters campaign with a hard-fought victory over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, recovering from the loss of the opening set to advance to the third round.

The 30-year-old Russian, ranked sixth in the world, initially struggled to establish control against Struff, who entered the tournament ranked 59th.

The German capitalized on his opportunities in the first set and secured it 6-4, placing Medvedev under immediate pressure.

However, the former world number one gradually found his rhythm, using his powerful serving and consistent baseline play to regain control of the contest.

Medvedev responded by taking the second set 6-4, forcing a deciding set in which his confidence and shot selection improved noticeably.

The Russian delivered 21 aces throughout the match, a statistic that highlighted the importance of his serve in overcoming a determined opponent.

In the final set, Medvedev produced a particularly impressive backhand volley during the sixth game, extending his advantage to 4-2.

He eventually closed out the match 6-3.

Speaking afterward, Medvedev acknowledged the importance of securing a break of serve in the deciding set, explaining that it gave him confidence he could win.

The result improved his career head-to-head record against Struff to 10 victories and two defeats.

Why was Medvedev disqualified from the China Open in Beijing?

Medvedev’s return to competition came just five days after a controversial disqualification during his China Open semi-final against Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic on October 5.

The incident occurred while Djokovic was leading 7-5, 5-3, leaving Medvedev close to defeat.

During the match, Medvedev struck a ball into the stands in frustration, accidentally hitting a spectator in the eye.

Tournament officials determined that the incident constituted a serious violation of player conduct regulations and immediately disqualified the Russian.

Under professional tennis rules, players can face an immediate default when their actions create a serious risk to the safety of spectators, officials or other participants.

Although Medvedev maintained that he had not intended to strike anyone, the tournament’s decision reflected the consequences of the action rather than requiring proof that the spectator had been deliberately targeted.

The incident attracted considerable attention because it occurred during a high-profile semi-final involving two former world number ones.

Djokovic advanced to the final following the decision.

Medvedev subsequently expressed regret over what had happened and stated that the incident was accidental.

The controversy became an important talking point in international tennis, particularly because Djokovic himself had experienced a similar disqualification at the 2020 US Open after accidentally striking a line judge with a ball.

What financial and ranking consequences did the disqualification have for Medvedev?

The disqualification in Beijing carried significant financial and sporting consequences for Medvedev, despite his progress to the semi-finals of the ATP 500 tournament.

Under the applicable regulations, a player defaulted for a serious code violation can lose ranking points and prize money earned during the event.

In Medvedev’s case, the decision meant that he left the China Open without receiving any ranking points or prize money from his campaign.

According to Associated Press reporting, the Russian forfeited approximately $285,000 in prize money that he would otherwise have received for reaching the semi-finals.

The loss of ranking points was also significant because ATP rankings operate on a rolling 52-week system, making strong performances at major tournaments important for maintaining positions and securing favorable seedings.

For a player competing near the top of the rankings, losing points from an ATP 500 event can affect the overall ranking total and the competitive picture later in the season.

The financial penalty also illustrated how a moment of frustration can have consequences extending beyond the immediate match.

Nevertheless, the Shanghai Masters provided Medvedev with an opportunity to regain momentum at an ATP Masters 1000 event, where success can deliver substantial ranking benefits.

His opening victory ensured that he could begin rebuilding confidence through results on the court.

What did Medvedev say about his performance and the playing conditions in Shanghai?

Following his victory over Struff, Medvedev acknowledged that adapting to the conditions in Shanghai had been challenging, particularly after competing in Beijing earlier in the week.

The Russian explained that the playing surface felt different from the courts at the China Open, requiring adjustments to his movement, timing and shot selection.

He told an on-court interviewer that the surface was different from Beijing and admitted that adapting to it had initially been difficult.

Such adjustments can be important in professional tennis because even tournaments played on hard courts may differ in speed, bounce, surface texture and environmental conditions.

Medvedev’s game relies heavily on consistency from the baseline, defensive court coverage and the ability to redirect opponents’ shots.

Against Struff, those strengths became increasingly evident as the match progressed.

His 21 aces also provided crucial assistance, allowing him to win important points without becoming involved in extended rallies.

Reflecting on the decisive set, Medvedev explained that breaking his opponent’s serve made him believe he could complete the comeback.

The victory carried additional psychological significance because it represented his first competitive appearance since the controversy in Beijing.

Rather than allowing the disqualification to overshadow his performance, Medvedev recovered from losing the opening set and demonstrated his capacity to compete under pressure.

Who could Medvedev face next and what does the victory mean for his Shanghai Masters ambitions?

Medvedev’s victory over Struff secured his place in the third round of the Shanghai Masters, one of the most important tournaments on the ATP calendar.

At the time of his victory, the Russian was awaiting the winner of the match between Czech qualifier Dalibor Svrcina and Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

Advancing deeper into the tournament would offer Medvedev an opportunity to strengthen his ranking position and regain competitive momentum following the Beijing controversy.

The Shanghai Masters belongs to the ATP Masters 1000 category, the highest level of regular ATP Tour competition outside the four Grand Slam tournaments and the season-ending ATP Finals.

Success at this level carries substantial ranking rewards and can be particularly valuable during the closing stages of a demanding tennis season.

Medvedev also has positive memories of Shanghai, having won the tournament in 2019, when he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final.

His familiarity with the event could provide confidence as he seeks another strong performance.

Elsewhere in the draw, second seed Carlos Alcaraz began his campaign with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo, extending his winning streak to seven matches.

With several leading players competing in Shanghai, the tournament presents significant challenges for every contender.

For Medvedev, however, the immediate significance of his opening victory lies in demonstrating that he can move beyond the disappointment of his disqualification and concentrate on his tennis.

Whether he can turn that recovery into a deep tournament run will depend on his consistency, physical condition and performances against increasingly difficult opponents.