By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, October 6, 2025
Picture credit score: Shi Tang/Getty
Generally, teaching adjustments aren’t about tactical transformations.
Daniil Medvedev remains to be taking part in the identical intelligent counterstrike type he performed underneath ex-coach Gilles Cervara, however credit new coach Thomas Johansson for carry a unique vitality to his recreation.
The 2019 Shanghai champion Medvedev outlasted Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-6(5) at the moment to succeed in the Rolex Shanghai Masters spherical of 16 and assembly with nemesis Learner Tien.
Medvedev smacked 9 aces and received 33 of 35 first-serve factors defeating Davidovich Fokina for the sixth time in seven conferences.
Empowered by his run to his maiden Tour-level remaining in Beijing final week, Tien topped Cameron Norrie 7-6(4), 6-3 saving eight of 10 break factors.
Tien punished Medvedev constructing a 5-7, 7-5, 4-0 lead when the previous No. 1 tapped out of the Beijing semifinals struggling cramping. At 19 years, 9 months, Tien is the second youngest Beijing finalist in historical past after former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who was 19 years, 3 months outdated when he defeated Guillermo Coria within the 2005 China Open remaining.
It was Tien’s second win over Medvedev this season following his five-set epic victory on the Australian Open.
Medvedev, who break up with long-time coach Gilles Cervara after his US Open first-round loss to Benjamin Bonzi final month, has been working with former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke. Whereas the 29-year-old Russian mentioned it’s too quickly on this new teaching partnership to gauge if the connection will work, he’s happy along with his progress to date.
Medvedev mentioned Johansson brings a unique sort of vitality to his field.
“We haven’t been collectively for a very long time,” Medvedev mentioned. “So no matter occurs now shouldn’t be solely on the coach. Nevertheless it’s all a few normal change I’ve been pursuing for a very long time.
“One thing was not working in the long run. So we simply wanted to alter. It’s a only a change of vitality and I like what Thomas tells me sometimes. Some small particulars.
“As a result of I understand how to play tennis, however I want some small particulars right here and there. To this point it’s been working nice and I’m blissful about it.”
