Alex de Minaur has seen another tantalising opportunity of reaching a Masters final evaporate as he ran up against Daniil Medvedev's newly reinforced brick wall in the Shanghai quarter-finals.
Though the Russian had been almost out on his feet and struggling with cramp in the tough humid conditions in his last-16 win over Learner Tien, he again resembled the man who once made it to world No.1 as he soaked up everything the Australian No.1 could throw at him to prevail 6-4 6-4 on Friday.
It was frustration again for de Minaur as he looked to nail the 300th tour-level win of his career, carving out six break point chances only to be repelled on each occasion by the indefatigable 29-year-old 'Octopus'.
