ATP Masters Shanghai – Jannik Sinner prevents Novak Djokovic’s 100th title with a show of force

The final serve flew past Novak Djokovic at 200 km/h, and Jannik Sinner stretched his arms up in triumph.

Anyone who needed proof of the changing of the guard in men’s tennis got it in the Masters final in Shanghai: Djokovic was close against the world number one from Italy and yet so far away from victory and a historic mark.

Sinner triumphed after just 1:37 hours with 7:6 (7:4), 6:3 and thus prevented the Serb from winning his 100th title for the time being. He later admitted openly: Sinner was “simply too good, too strong, too fast”. This is what the balance of power on the ATP tour now looks like.

The 23-year-old from South Tyrol rushed to pay tribute to “the legend” Djokovic, but he wasn’t really surprised by his success. Sinner has long known how he can crack the Grand Slam record champion.

“He has no weaknesses, you have to take advantage of the small chances he gives you, and there aren’t many,” he explained, adding: “You always have to believe in victory.”

The guests of honor had made themselves comfortable, Sinner’s rival Carlos Alcaraz and his compatriot and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero framed Roger Federer. The three Grand Slam champions initially saw a balanced match from their upholstered chairs, in which both opponents did not show any weakness on their own serves.

Djokovic, who had reduced his workload after his Olympic victory in Paris and only played at the US Open (third round exit) and the Davis Cup, presented himself lively and highly concentrated.

“It feels like fate to be fighting for my 100th title here,” the four-time tournament winner said before the final. At least until the tiebreak, the 37-year-old held his fate in his own hands, but then Sinner picked up the pace.

With the victories at the Australian and US Open, the Masters triumphs in Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai as well as the successes in Rotterdam and Halle, it is already a season straight out of a picture book for Sinner – if it weren’t for the shadow of doping that casts over his victories lies. He is facing a trial before the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is demanding a ban.

It’s amazing how focused he is despite the whirlwind. In Shanghai, Sinner only lost one set during the tournament, for the first time he was considered the favorite against Djokovic and equalized the score with the Serb (4:4). Sinner has now won four of the last five duels with his predecessor at the top of the tennis world.

The rivals continue their journey together, from Shanghai to Riyadh. “Spectator” Alcaraz is also there; in Saudi Arabia the trio will meet Rafael Nadal, who is on his farewell tour, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune. The show event in the desert is not about points, but about the highest prize money in tennis history: the winner collects six million dollars.