Novak Djokovic denied 100th title as Jannik Sinner wins Shanghai Masters final - result and live reaction
The World No 1 won his seventh tournament of the year to deny Djokovic his place in the century club with a 7-6 6-3 victory in China
Jannik Sinner denied Novak Djokovic the 100th title of his career with victory in the Shanghai Masters final as the World No 1 claimed his third win in a row against the 24-time grand slam champion.
Djokovic, 37, was bidding to become just the third man in the Open era to reach a century of titles after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, who was sat in the crowd next to Carlos Alcaraz.
But Sinner, 23, continued his dominant run of form on the hard courts by winning his third ATP 1000 tournament of the year, edging a close final 7-6 (4) 6-3 in one hour and 36 minutes.
The first set was close and dominated by serve but the Australian Open and US Open champion elevated his game to win the tiebreak, as Djokovic coughed up a key error at the net to hand Sinner set points.
And the Italian pressed his advantage into the second as he broke Djokovic for the first time in the match with a stunning forehand winner. Sinner remained solid on serve, not facing a single break point all match, as he closed out his seventh title of the year to deny Djokovic a slice of tennis history.
Follow score updates from the Shanghai Masters in our live blog, below.
*Novak Djokovic 6-7 1-4 Jannik Sinner
Djokovic with an awful forehand miss after being drawn into midcourt by Sinner. The Italian holds on 40-30 with a big first serve and forehand strike. He moves two games away.
Novak Djokovic 6-7 1-3 Jannik Sinner* - Sinner breaks!
Ooh. Another chance for Sinner here as Djokovic comes into the net and the Italian produces the backhand pass down the line.
0-30. Djokovic blasts his way through the Sinner defence on the forehand. But here comes the first break points of the match!
Sinner lands a fierce backhand down low and Djokovic coughs up the error on the volley! Djokovic saves the first with an ace.
Can he save the second? WINNER FROM SINNER! WOW! Shot of the match from the World No 1! Djokovic pushed him wide but Sinner fired the forehand winner down the line!
Stunning! Sinner breaks!
*Novak Djokovic 6-7 1-2 Jannik Sinner
Sinner emerges from an error-strewn game, holding against Djokovic after being taken to 40-30. Sinner landed a crosscourt forehand onto the line as Djokovic pushed his return long.
Still yet to see a break point, but we’re getting closer!
Novak Djokovic 6-7 1-1 Jannik Sinner*
Sinner senses his opportunity. On 40-30, the World No 1 jumps on the Djokovic second serve and takes the return early, forcing the miss. Djokovic was comfortable at 40-0 but faces deuce for the first time in his match.
Sinner, though, nets on the running backhand before Djokovic gets out of trouble. He lands the first serve and then puts the forehand winner behind Sinner, who is frustrated at not being able to bring up break point.
*Novak Djokovic 6-7 0-1 Jannik Sinner
Djokovic lands a couple of blows on the first Sinner service game, replying well to the Italian’s forehand angle to force the miss.
It brings up 40-30, but Sinner angles a lovely backhand. Djokovic nets on the stretch. We’ve still yet to see a deuce point.
Novak Djokovic 6-7 Jannik Sinner*
Sinner will serve first to start this second set.
Novak Djokovic 6-7 Jannik Sinner - Sinner wins first set!
Djokovic’s return floats wide and Sinner wraps up the first set with a very impressive tiebreak! Sure, that volley will haunt Djokovic, but the way the Italian elevated his game at the start of the decider was key, winning five of the first six points.
Sinner won 81 per cent of his first serve points (21/26) and the 23-year-old looked so steady even as the first set remained tight. There wasn’t a lot in it but the World No 1 leads after 55 minutes of this Shanghai Masters final.
Novak Djokovic 6-6 Jannik Sinner - Tiebreak!
Sinner has two balls in hand and could almost wrap up this tiebreak here. Brilliant direction from Sinner, steering the backhand onto the line from the middle of the baseline! 5-1 to Sinner.
Finally Sinner is pushed into the error on the forehand. Djokovic took a deep breath there and hit boldly for the lines. He gets his reward as Sinner pushes long. 5-2.
Stunner of a point from Djokovic, pushing Sinner deep behind his forehand before landing a lovely drop-volley. 5-3.
HUGE MISS! I can’t believe it! Djokovic was in control behind his serve but nets on the volley! As simple a volley as you could ask for! That brings up set point. 6-3.
Sinner, though, nets on the backhand. He’ll have another set point behind serve... 6-4.
Novak Djokovic 6-6 Jannik Sinner - Tiebreak!
Winner from Sinner! He breaks Djokovic’s run of points on serve with a lovely backhand pass down the line, stretching down low and sliding into the shot! 0-1.
How key could that be? Sinner thumps an ace out wide, his sixth of the match. And that’s another scorcher from Sinner, a huge forehand driven down the line! 0-3 already to Sinner.
Wow. Djokovic nets on the forehand, after Sinner dialled up the pressure in the rally. Suddenly Djokovic is falling onto his first serve. But he steadies with the forehand attack. 1-4 to Sinner.
Novak Djokovic 6-6 Jannik Sinner - Tiebreak!
Sinner steers a lovely backhand winner up the line to jump into a 30-0 lead. The Italian then recovers from a drop-shot drooped into the net with a thumping ace out wide.
That’s excellent from Djokovic, returning with real intent before stepping in to put away the drive volley. He’s asking the question of Sinner.
But the serve is so strong, out wide from Sinner, and Djokovic is set running onto his forehand. He can only net.
So onto a tiebreak we go. This final has been so serve dominant. Who will get the upper hand in the decider?
Sinner has won eight of his last nine, Djokovic has won five from five at this tournament.
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