If you didn't know where Hangzhou was (the city is in China, of course), you might assume it is somewhere in Russia. After all, the later we push into the 2026 Hangzhou Open, the more Russian players are making their point of excellence. That includes Daniil Medvedev against Coleman Wong.
The match featured contrasting styles. Medvedev has power, but relies more on precise groundstrokes and outlasting opponents in long rallies. Against the former No. 1, opponents don't so much get overwhelmed as beat themselves, like Medvedev is a moth slowly stealing one's cover.
Wong is more about brute force, and he wanted to avoid long rallies. Medvedev had the clear advantage once there. The Russian also understands, as great players do, when to augment his form. In a tight first set, Medvedev got a break at 4-3 and then served out the set 6-3 to take the lead.
Daniil Medvedev fights off Coleman Wong in the quarterfinals of the Hangzhou Open
Wong wasn't playing poorly, mind you. He was hitting at Medvedev's body with many of his serves and forehands, keeping the Russian from hitting extreme angles. If Wong did get into a rally, that strategy was his best chance to survive.
Stunningly, he mastered that in the second set, matching Medvedev game-for-game, each pushing the other during several holds of serve. In the tie-break, it was Wong who increased his level, easily besting his opponent 7-2. The suddenly even match was trending toward favoring Wong, and it was the first set that Medvedev had been broken in Hangzhou.
The third set was once again tight early, with Medvedev struggling to win any points off Wong's serve. However, just like in the opening set, Medvedev was able to lift his form late, get a break at 4-3, and then serve out the set and match fairly easily. Wong should be proud of how well he played, but Medvedev was the better player.
Daniil Medvedev will next face another Russian, Roman Safiullin, in the semifinals. They are two of the three Russians in the semifinals; the other is Andrey Rublev. Rublev will face Kyrian Jacquet in his match.
