World number one Jannik Sinner triumphed over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic with a score of 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 on Sunday, securing the title at the Shanghai Masters. Sinner made a pivotal break in the fourth game of the second set, defeating the Serb in just 1 hour and 37 minutes and denying Djokovic a milestone 100th career singles title.
“He was just too good today, too strong, too fast,” Djokovic acknowledged after the match.
Sinner called it a “very special day” and praised his opponent as a “legend” who continues to play “incredible tennis… year after year.” In a lighthearted nod to former Djokovic rival Roger Federer, who was watching from the stands, the 23-year-old joked, “There are legends everywhere; I just try to keep up a little bit.”
In front of an enthusiastic crowd, both players held their serves firmly during the first set. Sinner quickly gained the upper hand in the tiebreak, breaking Djokovic’s serve on the first point and racing to a 5-1 lead. Although Djokovic steadied himself, he netted a volley that set up a set point for Sinner at 6-3. Sinner initially failed to convert but successfully sealed the first set behind his serve on the next opportunity.
The crucial moment in the second set came when Sinner was leading 40-15 on Djokovic’s serve in the fourth game. Djokovic saved one break point with a powerful ace but could not stop Sinner’s stunning forehand down the line that gave him the advantage. All that was left for the Italian was to maintain his composure, finishing the match with an ace to claim the title.
Tough Year
Sinner’s victory adds to a remarkable season, having won two Grand Slams and maintained the top spot in the rankings since June. However, it has also been a challenging year, as he faced controversy after twice testing positive for a banned steroid in March.
In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance entered his system unintentionally through a spray used by his physiotherapist to treat a cut, followed by massage and sports therapy. Nevertheless, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced last month that it would appeal the decision to clear him of wrongdoing and is seeking a ban of up to two years.
This news surfaced while Sinner was competing in the China Open, where he lost in the final to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who was also in attendance on Sunday. “This year has been very, very tough for me… At points, I lost a little bit of smile,” Sinner admitted. “It’s never easy to play in these kinds of circumstances,” he added.
“I feel like I’m strong when I go on the court trying to not think about it… When I wake up I try to focus on every single (match or practice) I do, but then of course I have moments when I think about it which is not comfortable.”
‘Deserved’ win
Djokovic said Sinner played “the big points better” and “deserved to win”.
The 37-year-old said that getting a 100th title was “not a live-or-die type of goal”, but he would keep trying.
Djokovic became the last man standing from tennis’ golden era after Rafael Nadal announced his retirement this week and said that, despite the loss, he was pleased with his performance in Shanghai.
“I played pretty good, which gives me, I guess, a reason to believe that I can still play with these guys that are the best in the world at this level,” he said.
“As long as that’s the case, I guess I’ll still feel the need to keep on competing and the motivation to be out there.”
