Yannick Siner produced a dominant display against Novak Djokovic in the Rolex Shanghai Masters final to lift his seventh title of 2024.
The Italian, who is already guaranteed to finish the season as world No 1, was in hot form as he cruised to a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory over the 24-time Grand Slam champion to become the champion. Is the first man to win more than six titles in a calendar year since Andy Murray won nine in 2016.
His victory denied Djokovic a 100th career title, although this week was another reminder that the 37-year-old remains the game’s greatest factor.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sinner describes his win against Djokovic at the Shanghai Masters as one of his “toughest challenges”.
“It was a very tough match, obviously playing against Novak is one of our toughest challenges,” said Siner, who has won four of his last five meetings with Djokovic.
“I’m very happy with how I handled the situation. He was serving great the first set, I couldn’t find a way to break him. I played a really good tiebreak which gave me the confidence to get off to a good start. second collection.
“It’s hard to tell you a secret about (Djokovic) because he has no weaknesses. You have to try and take the small chances he gives you, but there aren’t many during the match. He is our legend. sport, it’s very difficult to play against him, so I’m very happy.”
Djokovic was denied some powerful serving by Sinner, who won 81 percent of his first serve points (21/26) in a high-octane first set that went to a tiebreak.
The culprit got off to a better start, Djokovic’s missed backhand volley costing him dear.
The relentless pressure at the other end spoke volumes as the top seed raced to an unassailable 4-1 lead in the second set before cruising to a straight-sets victory in one hour and 37 minutes to record her 65th victory. remarkable season.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Djokovic jokes that he is not used to watching Roger Federer play tennis and wishes he could join him on court.
Djokovic was aiming for a fifth title in Shanghai and said: “It was nice to be here in Shanghai once again.
“I’ve had a lot of success on Chinese soil in my career and I haven’t played in China for five years, so I’ve missed it and I’m really happy to come this year.
“I think I played really good tennis. Obviously congratulations to Yannick, he was just too good today, too strong, too fast. Well done for an incredible year, you deserve it.”
Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero were among those watching from the stands and, addressing Federer, Djokovic added: with us.
“It’s probably the first time I’ve played in front of you, so I had a lot of pressure today, but it’s great, thanks for being here, and also Carlos.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in October?
- Shanghai Masters – ATP 1000 (October 2-13)
- Wuhan Open – WTA 1000 (October 6-12)
- Almaty Open, Kazakhstan – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Stockholm Open, Sweden – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- European Open, Antwerp – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Japan Open, Osaka – WTA 250 (October 14-20)
- Ningbo Open, China – WTA 500 (October 14-20)
- Erste Bank Open, Vienna – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Swiss Indoors, Basel – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Guangzhou Open, China – WTA 250 (October 21-27)
- Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis, Tokyo – WTA 500 (October 21-27)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into it Sky TVstreaming service NOW! and: Sky Sports appthis year giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport at no extra cost. Learn more here.
