Jannik Sinner defeats Djokovic to win ATP 1000 masters at Shanghai Open

Shanghai Open, 

Sunday, 13 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Jannik Sinner produced a masterclass in Shanghai to becomes the youngest champion and the first player since Djokovic in 2020 to win consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles. 

The 21-year-old Italian overcame Novak Djokovic on straight sets to win the ATP Shanghai Masters Open, denying the Serbian international his 100th career title. 

Although a huge favorite, the Italian World Number 1 entered the Match knowing the odds could change as he was facing a four-time Shanghai Masters champion while he played in his first final at the event. 

In the first set, both held their serve without too many issues, even though the 37-year-old Djokovic seemed to be a bit more comfortable on his serve than his opponent.

Since the fifth game in the opening set, Djokovic won 16 consecutive points on his serve, and that was a riddle that Sinner had to solve if he wanted to win the first-set tie-break.

He solved it very quickly, breaking his opponent's serve on the first two occasions. That gave him a swift 4-0 lead, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion was still able to complicate the tie-break by recovering one of the mini-breaks.

That wasn't enough to trouble the top seed, as he mini-broke again, and despite losing one of the mini-breaks again, Sinner still had an advantage of one mini-break and served out the tie-break to win it 7-4.

With a one-set advantage, the confirmed year-end World No. 1 player was the overwhelming favorite to win the match. He continued serving masterfully, and this time, he could also create break point opportunities on his opponent's serve.

Already in the fourth game of the second set, Djokovic faced two break points, and despite saving the first one, he couldn't save the second one, with Sinner leading already 3-1, and 4-1 after holding his serve.

The stands were packed, and even Roger Federer, who played an exhibition match at the event, and Carlos Alcaraz and his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, watched how this match would conclude.

There wasn't much drama, as both continued dominating on their serves. That one lost service game proved to be crucial for Djokovic, as he wasn't able to recover that one-break deficit.

Sinner continued controlling the play to win the match 7-6(4), 6-3, winning the Shanghai Masters for the first time in his tennis career, adding his 7th title to his collection in 2024, and denying Djokovic his 100th career title.

Meanwhile, The Serbian legend currently sits in sixth place in the all-time title race and third among men. In titles won on the ATP Tour, only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) are ahead of Djokovic, who won 99 titles in his tennis career.