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 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 the reaction from the Shanghai Masters final in our live blog, below.
Novak Djokovic 4-3 Jannik Sinner*
A rapid love-hold from Djokovic, the first of the final, and it keeps this blockbuster on serve. Sinner will have new balls next.
*Novak Djokovic 3-3 Jannik Sinner
We’ve yet to see a deuce point midway though this first set, let alone a break point. But it feels as if Sinner is more in control on serve so far.
The World No 1 jumps to 30-0 before Djokovic wins an excellent point, earning the rewards of his attacking play to push Sinner behind the baseline.
Sinner just closes out the game with little fuss, though, finding another big serve to hold. 3-3.
Novak Djokovic 3-2 Jannik Sinner*
Sinner gets off the mark with an entertaining point to start the fifth game - putting a volley past Djokovic at the net.
Djokovic expresses some frustration to the umpire as he has to challenge a ball from Sinner that landed a good foot behind the baseline.
“How can you not see this?” he asks. Djokovic lands the first serve and takes the game to stay ahead.
And Roger Federer is here too! A star-studded crowd for this Shanghai Masters final.
*Novak Djokovic 2-2 Jannik Sinner
It’s been a high-quality start from both players in the rallies, which is what you would expect from two of the cleanest ball strikers in the game.
Djokovic is also looking super aggressive - and slams down a second-serve return to move to 30-30! That came after Sinner thought he had an ace - but the umpire ruled it was out, incorrectly.
Djokovic roars in frustration as he makes a forehand error into the net on 30-30, and that’s why. Sinner lands a thumping first serve down the middle to hold, taking the chance away.
Novak Djokovic 2-1 Jannik Sinner*
Sinner puts Djokovic under some early pressure by striking early asking his opponent to stretch wide. Djokovic looks a little uneasy on his feet as he nets to bring up 0-30.
Djokovic finds clutch serving to get back to 30-30, and then produces a lovely attacking point to move in and put away the forehand winner past Sinner.
Sinner goes wide on the next return and that’s a good hold from Djokovic from 0-30 down.
*Novak Djokovic 1-1 Jannik Sinner
Djokovic is off the mark on a couple of early returns against the Sinner serve. The Italian has settled well and looks confident striking up and down the court against Djokovic from the baseline.
Djokovic goes long and Sinner holds to 15.
Novak Djokovic 1-0 Jannik Sinner*
It’s not a surprise to these guys playing a couple of long points in the opening game. Sinner is trying to move Djokovic around the baseline and get his opponent out wide by opening up the court.
Djokovic, though, holds with an excellent serve down the middle.
*Novak Djokovic 0-0 Jannik Sinner
Djokovic serves to get us started. This should be a cracker, although there will be plenty of attention on Djokovic’s knees after appearing to struggle slightly in the semi-final win over Taylor Fritz yesterday.
Carlos Alcaraz is sitting in the second row! An interested observer, clearly.
*denotes next server
Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
And here we go! The players are out on court in Shanghai and we’re moments away from the start of this Shanghai final. It’s a fourth Shanghai final for Djokovic and a first for Sinner - but the 100th title is on the line for the 37-year-old.
Sinner wins the toss and elects to receive.
A pre-match photo between Sinner and Djokovic - this is their second final, after the ATP Finals showpiece won by Djokovic in Turin last November.
‘Part of me left with them’ - Djokovic reflects as Nadal joins ‘Big Four’ retirees
Earlier this week, Novak Djokovic said he felt overwhelmed at the news he will be the only active member of the ‘Big Four’.
With Roger Federer and Andy Murray having already left the sport, Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that he will also hang up his racket at the end of the season.
“We knew that that moment is coming sooner than later but it’s still a shock,” Djokovic said.
“Also for Roger a few years ago when he announced retirement, and Andy as well this year. It’s a bit overwhelming for me. I don’t know what to make out of it. I still enjoy competing but part of me left with them, a big part of me.”
And yet he’s still out there competing for titles.
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