Medvedev beats Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach Shanghai Masters Round 3
Synopsis
In his first match since being defaulted at the China Open for accidentally hitting a spectator, Daniil Medvedev produced a composed, serve-dominated display — 21 aces, 88% first-serve points won — to beat Struff and reach the Shanghai Masters third round. With 31 hard-court wins in 2026 and a seventh Turin berth in his sights, the Russian is firmly back in focus.
Key Takeaways
Daniil Medvedev defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the Shanghai Masters on 10 October 2026 .
It was Medvedev's first match since his default at the China Open for accidentally striking a spectator near the eye during his semifinal against Novak Djokovic .
Medvedev served 21 aces and won 88% of first-serve points, breaking Struff three times .
The win is his 31st on hard courts in 2026; he has claimed titles in Dubai , Brisbane , and Hangzhou this season.
Medvedev stands eighth in the PIF ATP Race To Turin , targeting qualification for the seventh time .
His next opponent will be either Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Dalibor Svrcina .
Daniil Medvedev rallied from a set down to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, 10 October 2026, advancing to the third round of the prestigious hard-court event. The match lasted one hour and 52 minutes, extending Medvedev's head-to-head record over the German to 10 wins.
Return After China Open Default
The victory marked Medvedev's first competitive match since he was defaulted at the China Open for accidentally striking a spectator near the left eye during his semifinal against Novak Djokovic. In that incident, Medvedev was trailing 5-7, 3-5 and was at 15-15 in the ninth game of the second set when he instinctively hit the ball toward the crowd after it rebounded off the wall. The ball struck a fan around the left eye, triggering an immediate default and handing Djokovic a walkover into the final.
Medvedev had publicly expressed remorse following the incident. 'I feel terribly sorry for him actually, and I just hope he's okay,' he told reporters. 'That's the most important. The rest, we move on. I just really care about him right now. Hopefully I can meet him and make up for it somehow.'
Dominant Serving Display
Against Struff in Shanghai, Medvedev leaned heavily on his serve to turn the match around. The Russian fired down 21 aces and won an imposing 88% of his first-serve points. He broke Struff's serve three times, was broken twice himself, and saved four break points — a resilient performance that underlined his ability to reset mentally after a difficult fortnight.
Form and Title Count in 2026
The win brings Medvedev's hard-court record in 2026 to 31 victories. He has claimed three titles on the surface this season — in Dubai, Brisbane, and Hangzhou. Notably, Medvedev is a former Shanghai Masters champion, having won the title in 2019, which adds extra motivation at a venue where he has historically performed well.
Turin Race and What's Next
Medvedev currently sits eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin standings and is targeting a berth at the year-end ATP Finals for the seventh time, having missed qualification last year. His next opponent in the round of 32 will be either Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Dalibor Svrcina. A strong run in Shanghai could significantly bolster his Turin qualification hopes as the season enters its final stretch.
Point of View
Or whether the scrutiny of Turin qualification adds pressure he struggled with last year when he missed the cut. His 2019 Shanghai title and 31 hard-court wins this season suggest the conditions suit him; what remains to be seen is whether he can sustain that level deep into the draw.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Medvedev vs Struff at the Shanghai Masters 2026?
Daniil Medvedev defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the Shanghai Masters on 10 October 2026. The match lasted one hour and 52 minutes and was Medvedev's 10th career win over the German.
Why was Medvedev defaulted at the China Open?
Medvedev was defaulted during his China Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic after he instinctively hit a ball toward the crowd, striking a spectator near the left eye. He was trailing 5-7, 3-5 at the time of the incident, and Djokovic received a walkover into the final.
How is Medvedev performing in the 2026 ATP Race To Turin?
Medvedev is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin standings. He is aiming to qualify for the year-end ATP Finals for the seventh time, having missed the cut in the previous year.
Who does Medvedev face next at the Shanghai Masters?
Medvedev will play either Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Dalibor Svrcina in the round of 32 at the Shanghai Masters 2026.
What is Medvedev's hard-court record in 2026?
Medvedev has 31 wins on hard courts in 2026, along with three titles on the surface — in Dubai, Brisbane, and Hangzhou. He is a former Shanghai Masters champion, having won the title in 2019.
