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Jannik Sinner Defeats Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters Final
Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in a high-quality final to deny him the chance of the 100th title of his stellar career at the Shanghai Masters.
The World number one Sinner built on his form this season with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 defeat of the 37-year-old Serbian.
Djokovic was going for a ton, only the third player of his generation to reach the mark (after Jimmy Connors, who had 109, and the watching Roger Federer, who had 103).
In Shanghai, where Kidambi Srikanth’s victory over 2011 champion Lee Chong Wei knocked him out in the second round, Djokovic’s carrot of the century had provided extra motivation. That was also the chance to prove to the younger generation that he was not far away from the talent and tank to beat him to the biggest prizes.
But a couple of lapses from the 24-time Grand Slam champion on crucial moments cost him against Sinner, who got the vital points.
It was an impeccable performance from the 23-year-old Italian, who has had a doping case hanging over him since he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Despite this, he won his seventh title of the year at the tournament, capping off an incredible year for him.
Sinner, victorious at the Aussie Open and US Open, has lost just five times in 71 for 2024.
A defeat here will do little to dent Djokovic’s belief in his prospects for the year, given some of his best tennis in weeks.
It is a telling statistic, however, that the veteran has lost to Sinner for a third straight time, with both Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz taking the lead in an increasingly next-generation packed tennis scene.
“It’s tough to tell you the secret because he doesn’t have any weaknesses,” Sinner said.
“You must take advantage of the few opportunities he provides you. He is a legendary figure in our sport and a formidable opponent.
The Way Sinner Edges Out Djokovic in Thrilling Shanghai Final
Quality serving and ball-striking on the chin served saw the match decide a tight first set, with neither player able to draw a chance of a break, and with none of the 12 games going to deuce advancing to the tiebreak.
Sinner proved the stronger of the two, as both men have good tie-break records this season, but he took control after racing into a 4-0 lead.
He responded by pulling Djokovic back to 5-3 and then planted a backhand volley into the net to give the Spaniard three set points.
He saved the first with a sharp backhand on a second serve and then dragged in a return wide to hand Sinner the set.
It was fine margins that showed with Djokovic winning the same number of points as Sinner in the opening set (73 each).
Djokovic, however, was undone by a second set in which he missed another backhand volley at the net.
The top seed teed up the first break point of the match in his favor and took the second emphatically with a forehand winner that even Djokovic couldn’t react to.
Djokovic’s break was decisive and irreversible today.
Djokovic hit back similarly, proceedings maintaining blistering intensity, but Sinner kept on defense and counter defensively, never giving Djokovic an opportunity to serve his way to victory in the Shanghai crown.
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My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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