| October 9, 2024 | by Vivienne Christie |
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While most people have a bad at the office, that hasn't applied to Jannik Sinner this year. The world No.1 has advanced to the quarterfinal of all 14 tournaments he contested for the season, going on to lift the champion's trophy six times.
Sinner will take the next step towards adding to that record at the Rolex Shanghai Masters when he takes on No.5 seed Daniil Medvedev in his first quarterfinal appearance at the event. The pair are familiar opponents in 2024. Their Shanghai showdown will be a fifth meeting between the two players this season and a 14th match between Sinner and Medvedev overall.
"We know each other quite well now, we know exactly what to expect, more or less," said the Italian, the winner in six of their past seven encounters. "Of course, it's going to be a very tough match, physical match, mental match, and also tactical, so let's see what's coming."
While Medvedev's lone 2024 win over Sinner came on the grass courts of Wimbledon, the 28-year-old has thoroughly tested the Italian on hard courts too. He led by two sets before Sinner emerged the winner of a thrilling Australian Open final and pushed the eventual champion to four sets in the US Open quarterfinals.
"I feel like some matches were close, some less," Medvedev reasoned ahead of their afternoon match at Qi Zhong's Stadium Court. "Look, I can play well against him. I know it, it's going to be tough, he's the best player in the world right now.
"I need to play my best, need to serve well, physically it's going to be tough, but I'm ready to bring a battle."
Carlos Alcaraz is also readying for a battle in his quarterfinal match against Tomas Machac.
Should he advance against the Czech No.30 seed, Alcaraz will build on a 12-match win streak. This includes his title run in Beijing, plus victories over Shang Juncheng, Wu Yibing and Gael Monfils at this event.
"I'm feeling great. Physically, I have not too many problems, so I'm feeling great,": said Alcaraz. "I'm playing great tennis lately, so I have a lot of confidence to go farther in this tournament."
He is facing a man who is fast developing a quiet confidence of his own.
The 23-year-old Machac has amassed wins over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Aleksandar Vukic and Tommy Paul to reach a second ATP Masters 1000 level final and a first in Shanghai.
"I think my chances is there. I'm playing right now great tennis, so let's see," said Machac, whose only other match against Alcaraz ended with his injury retirement at the Davis Cup.
Fully versed in the Czech's talents, Alcaraz is particularly wary of Machac's athleticism. "I know he's playing great. He has really great tennis," said the Spaniard. "He's so, so fast as well, so I have to be focused on that."
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