Federer advances into third round in Shanghai Masters

World No. 2 Roger Federer barrels into the third round of ATP Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, beating Daniil Medvedev of Russia in a nail-biting 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in his opening match of the tournament.

Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a return during the men's singles second round match against Russia's Daniil Medvedev at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament on October 10, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Fan Jun]

"It was a great first round for me against a guy who has been playing excellent. I was impressed by how he played," said the defending champion, who has never played Medvedev before.

The 20-time Grand Slam winning Swiss earned the first break at the outset of the match and completed the first set in 34 minutes. But Medvedev, the newly-crowned Japan Open champion, bounced back in the second set with strong hold of serve and a decisive break to make it 6-4.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return during the men's singles second round match against Switzerland's Roger Federer at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament on October 10, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Fan Jun]

In the decider, Federer broke in the ninth game after a Medvedev shot long and then closed out the match in one hour and 53 minutes with an ace. The 37-year-old top seed will next play Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut on Thursday in the last 16 to chase his third title in the ATP 1000 showpiece

China's wild card entry Wu Yibing was defeated by eighth seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 in one hour and 40 minutes.

China's Wu Yibing hits a return during the men's singles second round match against Japan's Kei Nishikori at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament on October 10, 2018. Wu Yibing lost 1-2. [Photo: Xinhua/Fan Jun]

The 18-year-old Chinese young talent stunned the former World No. 4 in the first set with superior shots and returning to make it 6-3. But Nishikori was back on track in the second set and dominated the rest of the match to reach the next round.

"I was not able to do anything in the first set, he was playing top 50, top 30 tennis," Nishikori spoke highly of his opponent. "I thought about losing the match maybe, so I was happy with my tennis in the end."

Japan's Kei Nishikori hits a return during the men's singles second round match against China's Wu Yibing at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament on October 10, 2018. Kei Nishikori won 2-1. [Photo: Xinhua/Fan Jun]

Earlier in the day, the third seeded Del Potro, who is suffering from the virus after lost the final of China Open last week, overcame Richard Gasquet of France 7-5, 7-6(7). The 30-year-old Argentine trailed twice but fought from behind to conclude the match with an ace in the tie-break of second set.

In other matches, German world No. 5 Alexander Zverev saw off Nicoloz Basilashvili 7-5, 6-4. Awaiting Zverev in the third round is Alex De Minaur of Australia, who tamed Benoit Paire in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.

Britain's 23-year-old Kyle Edmund also joins the last 16 following a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Italian Andreas Seppi.

Marco Cecchinato, who went through South Korean upcoming young star Hyeon Chung 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in the grueling two hours and 34 minutes contest, will face Novak Djokovic on Thursday.