SHANGHAI — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets to claim the Shanghai Masters title on Sunday, securing his seventh tour victory of the season, the most of any player.
The Italian outplayed the 24-time Grand Slam champion with a score of 7-6 (4), 6-3 in a match that spanned one hour and 37 minutes. Notably, Sinner didn’t face a single break point throughout the outdoor hard-court tournament. Sinner delivered eight aces and 22 winners, contrasting with Djokovic’s four aces and 12 winners.
Djokovic was aiming for his 100th tour-level title and his fifth Shanghai Masters victory. Only Jimmy Connors with 109 titles and Roger Federer with 103 have achieved the century mark in men’s tennis.
Sinner became the first man to secure more than six titles in a season since Andy Murray’s nine victories in 2016. He also evened his career record against Djokovic, now standing at four wins apiece.
“It was a very tough match, obviously, playing against Novak is one of the toughest challenges we have,” Sinner said. “It’s tough to tell you a secret about (Djokovic) because he doesn’t have any weaknesses. You have to try and use the small chances that he gives you, but there are not many during the match. He is a legend of our sport, he’s very tough to play against, so I am very happy.”
Sinner’s triumph follows his loss in the China Open final in Beijing to Carlos Alcaraz and amidst an ongoing doping case.
The 23-year-old Sinner currently boasts an impressive 8-2 record against top-5 opponents on hard courts this year, with both losses coming against Alcaraz, who watched Sunday’s final from the stands.
The 37-year-old Djokovic was participating in China for the first time in five years.
He also fell to Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals. His only title this year was at the Paris Olympics, where he defeated Alcaraz to secure the gold medal.
“I think I played some really good tennis, but congratulations to Jannik,” Djokovic said. “He was just too good today. Too strong, too fast, well done. You’re having an incredible year. You deserve this.”
Sabalenka wins Wuhan Open
Aryna Sabalenka clinched the Wuhan Open for a third consecutive year after defeating Zheng Qinwen with a score of 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
The second-ranked Sabalenka claimed her fourth title of the season, including victories at the Australian and U.S. Open.
The Belarusian player extended her tournament record to 17-0.