Shanghai Semifinals Analysis: Jódar and Davidovich Aim for a Spanish Final

Andrés Tomás Rico - 16 Oct 2026 | 21:35
ATP Rafael Jódar Alejandro Davidovich Daniil Medvedev Alexander Zverev ATP Shanghái 2026

We analyze the most important aspects of Jódar - Medvedev and Davidovich - Zverev, in which the two finalists of the Shanghai Masters 1000 will emerge.

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Semi-final analysis in Shanghai. Jódar and Davidovich seek a Spanish final. Photo: Getty Images

The Shanghai Masters 1000 is entering its final days with a strong Spanish accent. Both Rafael Jódar and Alejandro Davidovich are just one step away from facing each other for the first time in a Masters 1000 final, but first they must defeat two of the best tennis players in the world. The Madrid-born player will face Daniil Medvedev and the Málaga player will take on Alexander Zverev.

The Chinese tournament often delivers surprises and unexpected winners like Valentín Vacherot in 2025 or Hubert Hurkacz in 2023. This year was on track to be no different, with the early defeats of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Ben Shelton. However, the virtual new number one in the world, Zverev, keeps up the cruising pace and establishes himself as the favorite for the title, although Jódar, Davidovich, and Medvedev also have strong chances. In fact, none of the four semifinalists have won a Masters 1000 this year.

Alexander Zverev - Alejandro Davidovich: The new king of the circuit against one of the most in-form players

Despite claims that Alexander Zverev only wins when Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz are not around, the German demonstrates a level of consistency and, above all, resilience. He has not had an easy match in Shanghai, needing three sets against Quentin Halys (6-6, 6-7(10), 6-3) and Alexander Bublik (7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(1)). Additionally, he admitted to dealing with ankle issues that prevent him from playing at 100%, yet he is on the brink of another Masters 1000 final.

On the other side of the net, Alejandro Davidovich is in great form and possibly playing the best tennis of his career. The Spaniard has managed to channel the frustration and helplessness of missing the entire North American hard court tour due to back problems, by winning a new title (ATP 250 Chengdu) and reaching the semifinals of a Masters 1000. However, he has faced challenges along the way, as seen in his matches against Frances Tiafoe (7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(8)) and Hubert Hurkacz (1-6, 6-3, 7-6(8)).

The first semifinal is expected to be a match where serving will be crucial. In fact, it is the main weapon of the German, so Davidovich must not squander the few break points he may get. Long baseline rallies are also anticipated, although it will be up to the Málaga player to take the initiative in the points if he wants to put Zverev in trouble and, above all, avoid the German's powerful forehand. The head-to-head between them is striking: 6-1 in favor of the German.

Rafael Jódar - Daniil Medvedev: Two natural competitors face off for the first time

As this final stretch of the indoor and outdoor hard court season arrives, Medvedev tends to showcase his best repertoire, which he hides during the clay and grass tours, making him extremely dangerous on hard courts. This was evident in Hangzhou, where he won the title, and in Beijing, where the misfortune of hitting a fan with a ball led to his disqualification in the semifinals against Djokovic. In Shanghai, he is maintaining a positive momentum, with hardly any errors and, most importantly, a very calm mental state.

Meanwhile, Jódar arrives at the Chinese tournament in need of victories following his first-round losses at the US Open and ATP 500 in Tokyo. However, nothing can overshadow his historic debut at the elite level. In Shanghai, he has demonstrated a pattern seen in much of the season: to resist and come back. This is what he has done in his four matches in Shanghai, turning them all around: Thiago Tirante, Jiri Lehecka, Botic Van de Zandschulp, and Casper Ruud have been his victims. And now he is just one step away from his first Masters 1000 final.

This will be the first time that the Russian and the Spaniard meet, so an encounter between two great hitters and returners is expected. The baseline exchanges will be long and intense, where Jódar will look for his forehand and Medvedev will gradually build the point before finishing with his flat, low, and deep backhand.

The die is cast, and tomorrow the two finalists of the Shanghai Masters 1000 will be known. It could be a battle of Grand Slam champions or, why not, a Spanish final. Whatever happens, the show is guaranteed.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Análisis semifinales Shanghái. Jódar y Davidovich buscan una final española