Daniil Medvedev Battles Through Cramps and Chaos To Outlast Learner Tien In Shanghai Thriller
Sometimes tennis isn’t pretty. Sometimes it’s cramping, complaining, and crawling your way to victory. That is exactly what Daniil Medvedev did Wednesday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, gutting out a 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4 win over Learner Tien in what can only be described as a beautiful disaster.
Medvedev’s Physical Battle Against His Own Body
The Russian looked like he was fighting two opponents: Tien and his own cramping muscles. After taking the first set in a tie-break that featured more plot twists than a soap opera, Medvedev’s body started betraying him in the second set. Cramps set in, and suddenly the world No. 5 was moving around the court like he was wearing concrete shoes.
“I think the toughest part was that we played two times [before], and in my opinion, he is an unbelievable player, because he doesn’t have a great serve and serve is so important in tennis,” Medvedev said afterward. “He feels the game so well.”
The Heat and Drama Reach Boiling Point
Playing in intense Shanghai heat that would make a sauna jealous, both players were pushed to their limits. But if you know anything about Medvedev, you know he’s never met a match situation he couldn’t complain about. True to form, the Russian had words with the chair umpire after receiving a time violation. “I spent all my life waiting 55 seconds for Nadal, and now you call me on 25 seconds?” Medvedev barked at the official.
Tien’s Resilience Shows Why He’s Rising Fast
Let’s give credit where it’s due – Tien is no pushover. The 19-year-old American had won both previous meetings with Medvedev, including that epic five-set Australian Open thriller that ended at 3 a.m. (because nothing says “professional tennis” like finishing matches when the bars close).
After losing the first set, Tien stormed back to take a 3-0 lead in the second, then reeled off five straight games to force a second tiebreak. When he dominated that breaker 7-1, it looked like the momentum had completely shifted to the teenager’s side.
Medvedev Finds His Clutch Gene When It Matters
But here’s the thing about Medvedev – he’s like that friend who complains about everything but somehow always gets the job done. Despite the cramps, the heat, and his own dramatic tendencies, he found another gear when it mattered most.
The decisive moment came in the ninth game of the third set, when Medvedev broke Tien’s serve to take a 5-4 lead. From there, he closed out the match with the kind of determination that explains why he’s made multiple ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals on hard courts for seven straight seasons.
What This Victory Means Moving Forward
This win was about more than just advancing to face Alex de Minaur in the quarters. It was Medvedev proving he could dig deep and find solutions when his usual game plan wasn’t working. Sometimes, tennis is about perfect technique and flawless execution. Other times, it’s about surviving your own body’s rebellion and willing yourself across the finish line.
The Russian finally got his revenge after Tien’s previous victories, but more importantly, he showed the kind of fighting spirit that separates good players from great ones. Even when everything goes wrong, champions find a way to make it right.
