The Shanghai Masters confirmed its men's finalists on October 17. Rafael Jódar beat Medvedev 6–3, 6–4 for his first ATP Masters 1000 final, while Davidovich Fokina recovered against Zverev 5–7, 6–4, 6–3, setting up an all-Spanish title match.
Jódar wins in two, regaining control at the key stage
Jódar's victory took one hour 44 minutes. The tournament reported 22 winners to Medvedev's fourteen. After surrendering a second-set break advantage, Jódar won three of the last four games to finish in two sets. A break means winning the opponent's service game; after his lead was erased, he made the decisive advance again.
In his on-court interview, Jódar said many first-set games were close and both players had break chances. He was pleased with key points, serving and returning, and felt an opponent such as Medvedev required his best.
From repeated comebacks to straight-sets advancement
The win changed Jódar's route this week. In each of his previous four matches, he recovered after losing the opener; the semi-final required no third set. Those comebacks show earlier deficits, while straight sets gave him another route to the final.
The 20-year-old won his first tour title in Marrakech this season and reached Washington's ATP 500 final in August. Shanghai is another step into a higher tier. Unlike those previous tour experiences, October 18 is his first direct chance at a Masters 1000 singles title.
Compatriots meet on October 18, not before 16:30
Davidovich Fokina lost the opener 7–5 before taking the next two 6–4, 6–3. Both Spaniards have completed their semi-finals and now meet directly.
The official schedule puts the doubles final first on Center Court at 14:00, with Miedler/Oberleitner against Cabral/Tracy. Singles follows not before 16:30 on October 18, all China Standard Time (UTC+8). The actual start depends on the preceding match.
Men's singles semi-final results
| Winner | Opponent | First set | Second set | Third set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Jódar | Daniil Medvedev | 6–3 | 6–4 | — |
| Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | Alexander Zverev | 5–7 | 6–4 | 6–3 |
INKA SPORTS analysis: Regaining the initiative within a two-set win
The tournament report linked Jódar's attack to placement, timing and movement to both sides of the court. His 22 winners show attacking output; three wins in the last four games show how he closed after losing the break advantage. Together they reveal another need to regain initiative behind the straight-sets score.
Unlike four earlier matches, Jódar did not extend his pursuit to a decider, but still had to answer a recovery within one set. The change is more than a final score: he rebuilt a lead and finished within the same set.
Conclusion
After four wins from a set down, Jódar contained his response within set two: three of the last four games after losing his break lead completed the semi-final. His first Masters 1000 final follows against Davidovich Fokina on October 18, not before 16:30 China Standard Time (UTC+8).
