Jannik Sinner Triumphs Over Novak Djokovic to Claim Shanghai Masters Title
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner secured a significant victory by defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-6), 6-3 on Sunday, clinching the Shanghai Masters title.
Sinner delivered a crucial break in the fourth game of the second set, finishing the match in just 1 hour and 37 minutes, and denying Djokovic his 100th career singles title.
Djokovic acknowledged Sinner’s performance, stating, “He was just too good today, too strong, too fast.”
Sinner expressed his elation, calling it a “very special day” and praised Djokovic as a “legend” who consistently plays “incredible tennis… year after year.” He also humorously noted the presence of former rival Roger Federer in the stands, saying, “There are legends everywhere; I just try to keep up a little bit.”
The match was tightly contested, with neither player able to break serve in the first set. Sinner took control in the tiebreak, leading 5-1 before ultimately winning the set. A pivotal moment in the second set came when Sinner broke Djokovic’s serve, allowing him to maintain his lead and finish the match with an ace.
Despite the triumph, Sinner’s year has been tumultuous, having faced scrutiny after testing positive for a banned steroid earlier in March. The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted his explanation that the substance entered his system unintentionally, but the World Anti-Doping Agency plans to appeal the decision.
Reflecting on the challenges of the year, Sinner admitted, “This year has been very, very tough for me… At points, I lost a little bit of smile.” He emphasized his focus on the court, despite the surrounding controversies.
Djokovic acknowledged Sinner’s skill in high-pressure moments, stating he “deserved to win.” The 37-year-old has become the last player standing from tennis’ golden era, following Rafael Nadal’s recent retirement announcement. Despite the loss, Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his performance in Shanghai, noting, “I played pretty good,” and reiterated his motivation to continue competing.
