Jannik Sinner denied Novak Djokovic the 100th title of his career with victory in the Shanghai Masters final as the World No 1 claimed his third win in a row against the 24-time grand slam champion.
Djokovic, 37, was bidding to become just the third man in the Open era to reach a century of titles after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, who was sat in the crowd next to Carlos Alcaraz.
But Sinner, 23, continued his dominant run of form on the hard courts by winning his third ATP 1000 tournament of the year, edging a close final 7-6 (4) 6-3 in one hour and 36 minutes.
The first set was dominated by serve but the Australian Open and US Open champion elevated his game to win the tiebreak, as Djokovic coughed up a key error at the net to hand Sinner set points.
And the Italian pressed his advantage into the second as he broke Djokovic for the first time in the match with a stunning forehand winner.
Sinner remained solid on serve, not facing a single break point all match, as he closed out his seventh title of the year to deny Djokovic a slice of tennis history.
Follow the reaction from the Shanghai Masters final in our live blog, below.
Report: Jannik Sinner too strong for Novak Djokovic in Shanghai Masters final
Jannik Sinner added his seventh title of a remarkable year with victory over Novak Djokovic in the final of the Shanghai Masters.
Sinner, who is already guaranteed to finish the season as world number one, was just too strong for Djokovic, making it four wins from his last five matches against the Serbian with a 7-6 (4) 6-3 triumph.
That denied Djokovic a 100th career title, although this week has been another reminder that the 37-year-old remains very much a factor at the top of the game.
There was very little to choose between them in the opening set, with Sinner recovering from 0-30 at 4-5 then making the better start in the tie-break.
A missed backhand volley from Djokovic proved costly, and the relentless pressure from the other end told in the fourth game of the second set, when Sinner drilled a forehand winner to claim the only break of the match.
Jannik Sinner too strong for Novak Djokovic in Shanghai Masters final
The Italian clinched a 7-6 (4) 6-3 victory to cement his status as the best player in the world
Jannik Sinner keeps building on impressive year
Sinner is the first player to win seven ATP Tour titles in a year since Andy Murray won nine tournaments in 2016, the year in which he finished World No 1. The Italian will also have further chances in Paris and Turin.
Sinner is also the youngest Shanghai Masters champion at the age of 23, which also beats Murray’s record by a couple of months. Murray won the first of his three Shanghai titles in 2010.
Meanwhile, Sinner claimed his 65th win of the year to set a new personal best. The World No 1 has only lost six times this season.
When could Novak Djokovic win his 100th title?
Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of his 100th career title is set to continue at the Paris Masters at the end of the month, in what is the final ATP 1000 tournament of the season. It’s a tournament he has won a record seven times, including last year.
However, it would certainly be fitting for Djokovic to win his 100th title in Serbia at the Belgrade Open - that starts almost immediately after the Paris Masters. Would Djokovic consider targeting Belgrade instead of Paris, given the dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz this season?
After that, Djokovic would hope to feature at the year-end ATP Finals in Turin, where he is also defending champion. The 37-year-old is only sixth in the race to Turin but helped his cause by reaching the Shanghai final. He probably needs a good run in Paris to confirm it.
Jannik Sinner praises Novak Djokovic during Shanghai Masters victory speech
“It’s so nice to see you still playing incredible tennis. You keep showing it year after year. Not only you, also to your team. I also know some of your team we are exchanging a little bit our team members!
“ You’re doing an incredible job. I wish you all the best. Not just this season but trying to stay healthy for next season. Hoping to see you for as long as possible.”
Novak Djokovic praises Jannik Sinner after Shanghai final defeat
“Congratulations to Jannik. He was just too good today. Too strong. Too fast. You’re having an incredible year.
“Congrats to Jannik’s team as well. Well done guys. I know a couple of guys there, familiar faces! It’s a great team.”
Sinner added fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio to his team following the dismissal of two members of his staff in the wake of the anti-doping controversy.
Panichi and Badio had worked with Djokovic until last year.
Novak Djokovic addresses Roger Federer after Shanghai final defeat
Novak Djokovic speaks after defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final, and addresses Roger Federer in the crowd!
“It’s nice to see Roger in the stands, I wish you were still on the court playing with us. It’s probably the first time I’m playing in front of you, so I had some added pressure today! Thanks for being here, Carlos Alcaraz as well.”
Jannik Sinner’s incredible 2024 season
A stunning season from the Italian. Sinner has now won three ATP Masters 1000 titles this year, when no other player has more than one. His seventh title overall put him clear of Carlos Alcaraz, who is second with four.
January: Australian Open (Grand Slam)
February: Rotterdam (ATP 500)
March: Miami Open (ATP 1000)
June: Halle (ATP 500)
August: Cincinnati (ATP 1000)
September: US Open (Grand Slam)
October: Shanghai Masters (ATP 1000)
‘He’s a legend of the sport’: Jannik Sinner on Novak Djokovic record
Jannik Sinner after beating Novak Djokovic for the fourth time in five matches.
“It’s tough to tell you the secret because he doesn’t have any weaknesses. I just have to try and use the really small amount of chances he gives you, but there are not so many in the match.
“Just trying to believe in every moment, and that’s it. He’s a legend of the sport and he’s very tough to play against, so I’m very happy.”
Jannik Sinner on ‘very special’ Shanghai Masters title
Jannik Sinner speaking after his 7-6 6-3 win over Novak Djokovic:
“It was a very tough match obviously playing against Novak, he is one of the toughest challenges we have and I’m very happy with how I handled this situation.
“He was serving great in the first set and I really couldn’t find a way to break him. Then I played a very good breaker at the end of the first set which gave me the confidence to start off well in the second set. I’m very happy about the performances throughout the tournament. It’s a very special one.”
Game, set and match! Jannik Sinner 7-6 6-3 Novak Djokovic
It’s just remarkable that Jannik Sinner has won four of his last five matches against Novak Djokovic, including the last three. It’s been a key part of the Italian’s journey to World No 1 and grand slam champion.
The head-to-head is now level at four wins each.
2024: Shanghai Masters, final, outdoor hard - Sinner wins in two sets
2024: Australian Open, semi-final, outdoor hard - Sinner wins in four sets
2023: Davis Cup Finals, semi-final, indoor hard - Sinner wins in three sets
2023: ATP Finals, final, indoor hard - Djokovic wins in two sets
2023: ATP Finals, round robin - Sinner wins in three sets
2023: Wimbledon, semi-final, grass - Djokovic wins in three sets
2022: Wimbledon, quarter-final, grass - Djokovic wins in five sets
2021: Monte Carlo, round of 32, clay, Djokovic wins in two sets
