Sinner defeats Djokovic for Shanghai Masters title

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner claimed victory over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday, securing the Shanghai Masters title with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win.

The Italian took control in the second set by breaking Djokovic in the fourth game, sealing the match in 1 hour and 37 minutes, and denying the Serbian legend his 100th career singles title.

“He was just too good today, too strong, too fast,” said Djokovic after the match.

Sinner saluted his opponent as a “legend” who kept playing “incredible tennis… year after year.”

In a thrilling match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, Jannik Sinner paid tribute to tennis legend Roger Federer, who was watching from the stands.

The 23-year-old Italian quipped, “There are legends everywhere, I just try to keep up a little bit.”

The first set saw no player give an inch, as neither Sinner nor Novak Djokovic could break each other’s serve.

In the tiebreak, Sinner took charge early, breaking Djokovic’s serve on the first point and quickly racing to a 5-1 lead.

Though Djokovic fought back, he netted a crucial volley, giving Sinner set point at 6-3. Sinner initially missed but clinched the set on his second opportunity with a strong serve.

A pivotal moment followed in the second set when Sinner led 40-15 on Djokovic’s serve in the fourth game, putting the Serb under pressure once again.

Djokovic saved one break point with a fiery ace, but couldn’t stop a superb forehand down the line from Sinner that saw him pull ahead.

All that remained was for the Italian to hold his nerve, hitting an ace to finish the match and claim the title.

Sinner’s triumph caps off a formidable year, in which he has won two Grand Slams and retained the top spot in the rankings since June.

But it is also a year that has seen him embroiled in controversy after he twice tested positive for a banned steroid in March.

In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted Sinner’s explanation that the drug entered his system unintentionally when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, and then provided massage and sports therapy to the player.

But last month the World Anti-Doping Agency said it would appeal the decision to clear him of wrongdoing and was seeking a ban of up to two years.

That news came as Sinner was contesting the China Open, where he lost in the final to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who was also watching from the stands on Sunday.

He admitted coming into the Shanghai tournament that he was “not in a situation where I feel comfortable in it.”