Jannik Sinner produced a dominating show in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the Rolex Shanghai Masters remaining to raise his seventh title of 2024.
The Italian, who’s already assured to complete the season as world No 1, was in red-hot kind as he surged to a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 triumph in opposition to the 24-time Grand Slam champion to turn into the primary man to win greater than six titles in a calendar yr since 2016 when Andy Murray gained 9.
His victory denied Djokovic a a hundredth profession title, though this week has been one other reminder that the 37-year-old stays very a lot an element on the high of the sport.
“It was a very tough match, obviously, playing against Novak is one of the toughest challenges we have,” mentioned Sinner, who has now gained 4 of his final 5 match-ups with Djokovic.
“I am very pleased with how I dealt with the scenario. He was serving nice the primary set, I could not discover a technique to break him. I performed a extremely good tie-break which gave me confidence to begin off effectively within the second set.
“It’s tough to tell you a secret about [Djokovic] because he doesn’t have any weaknesses. You have to try and use the small chances that he gives you, but there are not many during the match. He is a legend of our sport, he’s very tough to play against, so I am very happy.”
Djokovic was denied by some imperious serving from Sinner, who gained 81 per cent (21/26) of factors behind his first supply in a high-octane first set which went to a tie-break.
Sinner made the higher begin, with a missed backhand volley from Djokovic proving pricey.
The relentless strain from the opposite finish instructed as the highest seed rallied to an in the end unassailable 4-1 lead within the early phases of the second set earlier than cruising to a straight-sets victory in a single hour and 37 minutes as he recorded his sixty fifth win of a outstanding season.
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Djokovic jokes he isn’t used to seeing Roger Federer watching him play tennis and wished he may be part of him on courtroom
Djokovic had been bidding to win a fifth title in Shanghai and mentioned: “It’s been a pleasure to be here in Shanghai once again.
“I’ve had a number of success on Chinese language soil in my profession and I have not performed in China for 5 years so I missed it and I am actually glad that I got here this yr.
“I think I played some really good tennis. Obviously congratulations to Jannik, he was just too good today, too strong, too fast. Well done for having an incredible year, you deserve this.”
Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero had been amongst these watching from the stands and addressing Federer, Djokovic added: “It’s nice to see Roger. I’m not used to seeing you in the stands, I wish you were on the court playing with us.
“It is in all probability the primary time that I am taking part in in entrance of you so I had an added strain in the present day however it’s nice, thanks for being right here, and Carlos as effectively.”
What’s developing on Sky Sports activities Tennis in October?
- Shanghai Masters – ATP 1000 (October 2-13)
- Wuhan Open – WTA 1000 (October 6-12)
- Almaty Open, Kazakhstan – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Stockholm Open, Sweden – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- European Open, Antwerp – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Japan Open, Osaka – WTA 250 (October 14-20)
- Ningbo Open, China – WTA 500 (October 14-20)
- Erste Financial institution Open, Vienna – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Swiss Indoors, Basel – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Guangzhou Open, China – WTA 250 (October 21-27)
- Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis, Tokyo – WTA 500 (October 21-27)
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and shall be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.
