Watch: Roger Federer applauds Daniil Medvedev's stunning bounce-back volley at the 2018 Shanghai Masters
Roger Federer and Daniil Medvedev squared off against each other for the first time ever in the second round of the 2018 Shanghai Masters. Seeded first in the tournament, the Swiss took the first set against the unseeded Medvedev 6-4.
The second set started off with the pair sharing the first four games. The Russian began his third service game in dominant fashion, pushing the 20-time Grand Slam champion on the backfoot with a strong forehand down the line.
The former World No. 1 managed to return it with a lunging backhand, prompting Medevdev to come rushing towards the net for another forehand. Federer retrieved it once again, gifting an overhead smash to his opponent but Medvedev could not finish off the point. The resulting passing shot from the World No. 27 was not successful as well, as the World No. 1 smartly employed a volley to the other end of the court.
The defending champion, however, was not one to let go easily. He galloped at full-speed to hit a running forehand towards the 26-year-old's backhand. Medvedev put in a desperate lunge and somehow managed to connect with the ball. The ball fell close to the net and bounced back onto Medvedev's side of the court before Federer could get a racket on it.
To his credit, the 20-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged his opponent's miraculous shot with a classy gesture.
The top seed went on to lose the set, but won the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. He progressed as far as the semifinals, where he lost to 13th seed Borna Coric in straight sets.
Roger Federer is yet to lose against Daniil Medvedev
Roger Federer has faced Daniil Medvedev thrice in his career so far and has come out on top on all three occasions. After defeating Medvedev in Shanghani, Federer locked horns with the Russian later that year at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
Roger Federer d. Daniil Medvedev 6-1, 6-4 in 64 minutes to reach a 12th consecutive Basel final. 151st career singles final. Still one of his quickest matches of the year...
[getty] https://t.co/M9JCoqUrYZ
Seeded seventh in the tournament, Medvedev met the top seed in the semifinals and succumbed to a straight-sets loss. Federer went on to win the tournament, defeating qualifier Marius Copil in the final.
Roger Federer wins 9 of the last 11 games to beat Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-2 and reach the QFs in Miami. A great performance from the Swiss.
[getty]a https://t.co/0LdmBSQPLa
Their most recent encounter came at the 2019 Miami Masters. The pair met in the fourth round, where 13th seed Medvedev once again fell in straight sets. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, seeded fourth in the ATP 1000 event, went all the way to win his 28th Masters title and fourth title in Miami.
Federer defeated defending champion John Isner in the final.