The Russian Daniil Medvedev, 3rd player in the world and recent finalist in Beijing, lost on Sunday in the 3rd round of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, against the American Sebastian Korda (26th), in two sets, 7-6 (10/ 8), 6-2.
Medvedev, whose place on the ATP podium is not in danger, was tied for a long time in the first set with his young opponent (23 years old), and even made the best start in the decisive game, s ‘offering two set points including one on his serve.
But the son of the Czech Petr Korda, former world No.2, saved them both before achieving a mini-break at 8-8. He then concluded the first set on his serve.
The American then took off in the second set, leading 3-0. At 5-2, he folded the match by once again taking the service of Medvedev, visibly very annoyed, after 1h28 of match.
“I feel great, I played an incredible match,” reacted Sebastian Korda, who had already beaten the Russian during their last confrontation at the Australian Open in January.
In the round of 16, Korda, seeded N.26, will face the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (N.20) or the Hungarian Martin Fucsovics, 57th in the world.
Sunday, before this meeting, the Norwegian Casper Ruud, seeded N.8, qualified by easily dominating the American Christopher Eubanks in two sets, 6-4, 6-2.
Ruud, who is aiming to qualify for the end-of-season Masters in Turin, will have a round of 16 largely within his reach since he will be pitted against the Croatian Dusan Lajovic or the Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, respectively 55th and 91st in the ATP rankings.