De Minaur Reaches 50 Wins and Shanghai Masters Quarterfinals Amid Cousins’ Historic Run

Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur reached a remarkable milestone at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, becoming the third player this season to secure 50 tour-level victories. The seventh-seeded De Minaur defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2 in an hour and 47 minutes to advance to the Masters 1000 quarterfinals.

With this victory, De Minaur joins world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz (67 wins) and Taylor Fritz (50 wins) as the only players in 2025 to surpass the 50-win mark, underscoring his consistency and elite form this season.

“I’m really pleased with the way I handled key points today,” De Minaur said after the match. “Hitting my 50th win of the season is a personal milestone, but now my focus is entirely on the next round and giving my best in the quarters.”

A Tactical Display

De Minaur hit 19 winners and maintained impressive court coverage throughout, breaking Borges at crucial moments and dictating play with his aggressive baseline game. The win marks his seventh Masters 1000 quarterfinal appearance, highlighting a season of steady improvement.

“Alex has been playing some of his best tennis this year,” said one ATP analyst. “His movement, timing, and mental toughness are all on display here in Shanghai. Reaching 50 wins is proof of how well he’s competing week in and week out.”

Looking Ahead: Medvedev Awaits

In the quarterfinals, De Minaur will face 16th-seeded Daniil Medvedev, who overcame Learner Tien 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4 in a tightly contested match. Medvedev’s ability to grind through long rallies and his experience in big matches sets up an intriguing clash against De Minaur’s speed and aggression.

“Daniil is an incredible competitor,” De Minaur said. “I know it’s going to be a tough quarterfinal, but I’m ready to go.”

Other Quarterfinal Matchups

The Shanghai Masters has been full of surprises this year, particularly with the cousin duo making history. Arthur Rinderknech, ranked 54th in the world, will face 12th-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarters. Rinderknech, fresh from an upset of third-seeded Alexander Zverev, continues his remarkable run alongside his cousin Valentin Vacherot, the tournament’s top sensation who recently captured the title.

Auger-Aliassime advanced by defeating eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2, demonstrating why he remains a consistent threat in Masters events.

“It’s unbelievable to have two family members in the later stages of such a big tournament,” said an ATP official. “Valentin’s title and Arthur’s quarterfinal run are stories that will be remembered for years to come.”

Shanghai Masters: A Tournament of Milestones

This year’s Shanghai Masters has already featured a number of record-breaking performances:

Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th, became the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion in history

Arthur Rinderknech upset multiple seeded players, including Alexander Zverev and Jiri Lehecka

Alex de Minaur reached 50 wins in a single season, joining elite company alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz

The combination of veteran consistency, emerging talent, and historic family storylines has made this edition of the Masters 1000 one of the most compelling in recent memory.

“It’s not often you see players hitting major career milestones while also witnessing such unique narratives, like the cousins both excelling on the biggest stage,” said a tennis commentator.

What Fans Can Expect

As the tournament progresses into the quarterfinals, fans can anticipate a thrilling mix of high-level tennis, tactical battles, and potential new stars making their mark on the ATP circuit. The clash between De Minaur and Medvedev, along with the ongoing Vacherot-Rinderknech storyline, ensures that Shanghai remains the focal point of the men’s tour.

With the energy of a packed stadium, the players are set to deliver some of the finest tennis of the year, and the records already broken hint at even more history in the making before the trophy is lifted.