Jannik Sinner celebrates his victory at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. © Twitter (@euronews)
Jannik Sinner continued his remarkable rise in 2024, claiming victory over Novak Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters final. The 23-year-old Italian triumphed 7-6(4), 6-3, denying Djokovic the chance to secure his 100th career singles title. This win marks Sinner’s seventh ATP title of the year and solidifies his position as world number one. The final, held at the Qi Zhong Stadium, was a thrilling encounter between the two tennis stars, but Sinner’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game proved too much for the legendary Serb.
The first set was a tight contest, with neither player managing to break serve. Djokovic, known for his consistency and mental toughness, showed resilience by giving away only five points on serve. Sinner, however, matched him blow for blow, holding his own service games with authority. In the tiebreak, Sinner took control, quickly racing to a 4-0 lead and clinching the set when a Djokovic return flew wide.
Sinner’s confidence skyrocketed in the second set. Sinner took advantage of Djokovic’s waning serve to break for a 3-1 lead with a forceful forehand winner. From there, the Italian maintained his advantage, never allowing Djokovic back into the match. Two more solid service holds brought Sinner within reach of victory, and he sealed the win with an emphatic ace.
This triumph is the latest in an incredible season for Jannik Sinner, who has already won the U.S. Open and Australian Open in 2024. His win over Djokovic also evens their head-to-head record at 4-4, proving that he can not only compete with the best but defeat them. Sinner’s performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular, making him one of the most exciting talents on the ATP Tour.
For Djokovic, the wait for his 100th singles title continues. Despite the disappointment in Shanghai, the 24-time Grand Slam champion remains one of the sport’s greatest players and will no doubt continue his pursuit of this historic milestone. With both Djokovic and Sinner in top form, the tennis world is set for an exciting showdown in future tournaments.
