In a dramatic turn at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, Daniil Medvedev reached the semi-finals by overcoming Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4, while Arthur Rinderknech surged into the same penultimate stage, joining his cousin Valentin Vacherot, who had already produced a shock run.
Medvedev’s quarterfinal with de Minaur was an endurance test of baseline grit and composure. The Russian, grappling with physical discomfort, pressed through long rallies to secure a straight-sets win. In doing so, he notched his 50th career victory over a top-10 opponent. After clinching the match with an ace, Medvedev admitted the match was far from easy, reflecting on having to stay “clutch in important moments.”
His reward is a semi-final encounter with Arthur Rinderknech, who had earlier stunned Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 to reach his first Masters 1000 semi. Rinderknech, ranked 54, executed a solid performance—he didn’t drop serve and capitalized on opportunities early, ensuring his advance without overextending himself.
Meanwhile, Valentin Vacherot’s run has been a narrative highlight of the tournament. The qualifier and world No. 204 produced a stunning upset over Holger Rune to earn his place among the last four. In doing so, he became the lowest-ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters 1000 semi in Shanghai history and the first from Monaco to break through to that stage.
That setup means the semi finals draw two intriguing storylines: Medvedev vs. Rinderknech, and Djokovic vs. Vacherot. The possibility looms of a final contested by cousins, which would be a rare occurrence at a Masters 1000 event.
For Medvedev, this semi affords a chance to reclaim his former dominance in Shanghai (having lifted the trophy in 2019) and to show signs of resurgence in a year that’s seen ups and downs. For Rinderknech and Vacherot, the run has already been historic—a career milestone and family triumph.
In short: Medvedev’s resilience has taken him deep into the draw, and the tournament’s fairy tale continues with cousins Rinderknech and Vacherot both in the last four.
