Jannik Sinner into Shanghai semis after sweeping Medvedev

SHANGHAI -- Top-ranked Jannik Sinner advanced to his fifth ATP Masters semifinal of the season after sweeping aside fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev in straight sets at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday.

Sinner started strongly and faced one break point in his 6-1, 6-4 masterclass over his Russian opponent, who needed treatment on his shoulder during the second set.

"Obviously I'm very happy how I handled today and this match," Sinner said. "It felt like he had a bit of shoulder pain and couldn't hit his forehand as well as he wished to. Hopefully he can recover as fast as possible, but from my side it was a great match, a great battle, and let's see what I can do now in the semifinals."

With Thursday's win, the two-time major winner has leveled his head-to-head series against Medvedev at 7-7, but Sinner has won seven of the past eight meetings.

It moved Sinner to his first semifinal in Shanghai, and he will play either second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz , in a rematch of their thrilling duel from the China Open last week, or Tomas Machac , who play later Thursday.