Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are each familiar with the strong sense of achievement that can accompany success at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre.
Five years ago, Medvedev delivered a flawless performance in his path to becoming the 2019 Rolex Shanghai Masters champion. Tsitsipas defeated then-No.1 Novak Djokovic on his way to the semifinals in the same year.
Medvedev and Tsitsipas are equally familiar with facing off in high-stakes matches. On Wednesday, the players meet for a 14th time in the Shanghai fourth round. If past matches between the two players are a guide, their battle for a place in the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters quarterfinals could be intense.
"I consider him someone that I respect on the tour, much more than I did in the past," said Tsitsipas of his relationship with Medvedev. "We've had some heated things on the court in the past, but I think those things have resolved themselves over time."
"It's good to kind of get it out of the way, and making sure our tennis brings peace instead of a war," he added. "It's a war zone when you're out there on the court trying to, obviously, fight your best and obviously try to get the win, but I feel like tennis should unite instead of separate."
Yet the 10th-seeded Greek well understands what's at stake. Trailing Medvedev 4-9 in their head-to-head record, Tsitsipas last claimed a win over the No.5 seed two years ago. From his current position just outside the top 10 in the rankings, he also has a tantalising goal in sight.
"What I would for sure like is maybe a good Masters 1000 appearance, where I can create a good story around my appearance at that Masters 1000," said Tsitsipas. "I don't know if that's winning or getting to the finals, but I want something that's going to really remain big and victorious for me in terms of like getting back into the tour strong again."
Medvedev is similarly motivated for a strong Shanghai run. The 28-year-old is a winner of 20 career titles but is yet to add to that record this year. "I feel like I have room to improve, but at the same time it's not too bad," he said of his 2024 performances.
"I'm a force in the Race, and happy to try to finish on a good note. Goals left are (to) try to win a title."
While that match opens the Show Court 3 day session, another intriguing battle launches play on the Stadium Court. In a rematch of their 2023 fourth round, top seed Jannik Sinner faces No.14 Ben Shelton.
The American claimed an eye-turning upset over Sinner to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal last year and is excited for the opportunity to compete against the world No.1 again.
"I think it's always a big opportunity whenever you get to play one of the best two or three players in the world, right now world No. 1, obviously, and won two Slams this year, so it will be a great challenge," Shelton said.
"(I have) great memories from that match last year, I probably watched the tape of that a couple times so far this year, but, yeah, I'm really looking forward to it, that will be fun."
Carlos Alcaraz will aim to build on his stunning recent momentum when he faces Gael Monfils. Having thrived at Davis and Laver Cups before lifting a 16th career trophy at the China Open, the Spaniard is targeting a 12th straight match win.
The No.3 seed appreciates the challenge the 38-year-old Frenchman could present. In the last match they contested in Cincinnati, Monfils emerged a three-set winner. Despite the form he's struck in his progress to the fourth round in Shanghai, the 46th-ranked Monfils is expecting a far different contest this time around.
"It will be, for me, a really tough one. (There are) some matches that you always like to play, in this stage of my career, is to play those great players," said Monfils. "For me, it's just an honour to be on the court with this guy."
Novak Djokovic is looking forward to opening the night session against Roman Safiiullin on Wednesday, knowing that the world No.61 provides a significant test. "(He) is playing really well on the fast surfaces," said the No.4 seed.
"I played him couple times before, I know his quality, I know that what he can do on the court. He loves to play fast, take the ball on the rise, so I have to be very sharp for that one."
The final night session on Wednesday sees Alexander Zverev battling David Goffin on the Stadium Court for the seventh time in their respective careers.
While Zverev, who leads their head-to-head record 4-2, is targeting an improvement on his progress to the 2019 final, the resurgent Belgian has the chance to progress to a Shanghai quarterfinal for the first time since 2016.
