Novak Djokovic advanced to the final of the Shanghai Masters after defeating American seventh seed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6(6) in the semi-finals. The Serbian star, with 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, now stands just one match away from securing his 100th ATP title. He will face Jannik Sinner, who has not only reached the final but also secured the year-end world number one ranking—making him the first Italian to do so.
Djokovic, playing his fifth final at the Shanghai Masters, showed his determination to reach the milestone, saying, “I came here this year definitely with the vision or desire to get to the final and fight for 100 titles. I’ve got that chance against the best player in the world, and let’s see what happens.”
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In his match against Fritz, Djokovic’s precise groundstrokes and consistent pressure proved pivotal. Despite some resistance from Fritz, including two break points in the second set, Djokovic managed to hold serve and took the match in a tiebreak. Although he had to manage a minor hip issue during the second set, Djokovic’s experience carried him through without needing a third set. Reflecting on the match, he noted the challenge of facing an in-form Fritz, emphasizing, “I did not want to get to the third set, and I’m just glad to overcome it.”
Earlier in the day, Jannik Sinner secured his spot in the final by defeating Czech 30th seed Tomas Machac 6-4, 7-5. The Italian battled through a tough match, managing to minimize errors and showcase his solid play, particularly in crucial moments. Sinner, who has had a standout season with Grand Slam wins at the Australian Open and U.S. Open, described the achievement of finishing the year as world number one as a dream come true: “It’s something you dream of when you’re a kid, when you’re young. Just to reach the number one spot… it’s also a different and special feeling.”
With Sinner aiming for his seventh title of the year and Djokovic chasing a historic 100th ATP title, the final promises a high-stakes clash between the top-ranked Italian and the veteran Serbian champion.
