In a historic moment at the Shanghai Masters, Jannik Sinner secured his spot in the final and ensured that he would finish the year as the world No. 1, making him the first Italian player to achieve this feat. Sinner’s victory over Tomas Machac in the semi-final set up a showdown with Novak Djokovic. “It’s amazing, it’s what you dream of when you’re a kid,” Sinner expressed after his win.
Sinner’s journey to the final was marked by a hard-fought victory over Machac, where he triumphed in straight sets, 6-4 7-5. Despite a strong showing from the Czech player, Sinner’s excellence prevailed, paving the way for him to compete in his first Shanghai Masters final.
Tomas Machac, ranked World No. 33, displayed impressive skills throughout the tournament, reaching the semi-finals before facing Sinner. However, Sinner’s determination and skill proved to be too much for Machac to handle, leading to Sinner’s advancement to his third Masters final of the campaign.
After the match, Sinner reflected on his achievement of becoming the year-end world No. 1, a title that only 18 players have held. “Having the year-end [No.1 spot] is also a different and special feeling, but this happens during a tournament so I’m not even looking [at that],” Sinner said. He acknowledged the support of those around him and looked ahead to the final against Djokovic.
In a tightly contested match, Sinner took control to secure a crucial break and claim the first set. The second set saw both players battling fiercely, with Sinner ultimately breaking Machac in the final game to secure victory and a spot in the final.
Meanwhile, Djokovic faced physical challenges during the tournament, requiring a medical timeout to address issues with his left knee. “It always takes it out of me, these types of battles. Particularly towards the end of the tournament,” Djokovic shared about his struggles on the court.
As the anticipation builds for the final clash between Sinner and Djokovic, tennis fans are eager to witness a thrilling showdown between the rising star and the seasoned champion. The stage is set for a memorable conclusion to the Shanghai Masters, with both players aiming to etch their names in tennis history.