Novak Djokovic (No. 4 in the ATP ranking) has great motivations in the last stretch of the season. On his return to competition Within the Shanghai Masters 1000, he defeated Taylor Fritz (7th) 6-4 and 7-6 (6) after 1 hour and 56 minutes to qualify for the grand final. Number one is waiting there: Jannik Sinner. What is at stake for the Serbian in this last match?
The native of Belgrade, world number one for 428 weeks and owner of 99 titles, returned to competition in Shanghai after the US Open with performances against Alex Michelsen (7-6, 7-6), Flavio Cobolli (6-1 , 6-2), Roman Safiullin (6-3, 6-2) and Jakub Mensik (6-7, 6-1, 6-4).
In the semifinals he met the American Taylor Fritz for the tenth time and repeated the pattern: he won each of the 10 times in which they met and only in the Australian Open (2021 and 2024), the Californian was able to beat him a total of 3 sets.
In that way, Nole reached his 59th final in Masters 1000 and first in 11 months when he won Paris, being one victory away from equaling Rafael Nadal’s mark as the tennis player with the most matches won in the category since 1990 with 410 units.
This year he won the last major title he has left to win in his extensive career: the Olympic Games. At the Roland Garros facilities he starred in a true battle for gold against Carlos Alcaraz and, since he climbed to the top of the podium, he reflects the joy it meant to grant Serbia that achievement.
However, the motivation to remain competitive is more present than ever: in addition to the imminent record that could equal the Spaniard, who recently announced his retirement as a professional, the 37-year-old tennis player has the opportunity in Shanghai to lift his 100th title.
To do this, you must meet with today’s number one: Jannik Sinner. Although Djokovic leads 4-3 head-to-head, the Italian won the last two matches (2023 Davis Cup and 2024 Australian Open semi-finals).
Finally, after a year in which he has yet to win titles with points, Shanghai means a breath of fresh air for him. He arrived at the tournament as ninth in the Race to the ATP Finals in Turin and, thanks to his performance here, he jumped to sixth place.
The grand final of the Shanghai Masters 1000, exclusively on ESPN and Disney+ Premium.