The Italian Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets to claim the Shanghai Masters title on Sunday, marking his seventh trophy of the season, which leads the tour in victories this year.
Sinner bested the 24-time Grand Slam champion 7-6 (4), 6-3 in an hour and 37 minutes, never facing a break point throughout the outdoor hard-court tournament.
The Italian delivered eight aces and 22 winners compared to Djokovic’s four aces and 12 winners.
Djokovic was aiming for his 100th tour-level title and his fifth in Shanghai. Only two legends in men’s tennis, Jimmy Connors with 109 titles and Roger Federer with 103, have reached the century mark.
Sinner became the first man to win more than six titles in a single season since Andy Murray, who won nine in 2016.
Additionally, he leveled his career record against Djokovic, now tied at four wins each.
“It was a very tough match, obviously, playing against Novak is one of the biggest challenges we have,” Sinner said. “It’s tough to tell you a secret about (Djokovic) because he has no weaknesses. You have to take the small chances he gives you, but there aren’t many during the match. He’s a legend of our sport, very tough to play against, so I’m very happy.”
Sinner’s victory came after losing the China Open final in Beijing to Carlos Alcaraz and amid an ongoing doping case.
The 23-year-old now holds an 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.
Djokovic, 37, was competing in China for the first time in five years.
He had also lost to Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open. His only title of the year thus far was at the Paris Olympics, where he defeated Alcaraz for 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.”
Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka won the Wuhan Open for a third year in a row after beating Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the final.
It was a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won. She then added the U.S Open title last month. She is now 4-0 against Zheng.
The Belarussian player took her record at the tournament to 17-0. She has won four tournaments this year.
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