Jannik Sinners season continues to be truly exceptional and the Italian ace has a chance to win his seventh title of the season in Shanghai. After losing the final in Beijing to Carlos Alcaraz last week, the worlds number 1 did not lose heart and showed all his incredible mental strength even in the penultimate Masters 1000 of the season.
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The two-time Grand Slam champion seemed to be struggling against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round, when he lost the first set, but his reaction was vehement and his level rose considerably in the next two rounds. The 23-year-old from San Candido defeated dangerous American aceBen Shelton making a difference in decisive moments, before inflicting on Daniil Medvedev the seventh defeat in the last eight matches played against each other.
The Russian ace was affected by a small shoulder injury, but the Italian champion has performed to the limits of perfection that certifies his current status as the best player in the world. With the loss of Alcaraz against Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals, Jannik has got the mathematical certainty to close 2024 at the top of the ATP ranking. A well-deserved milestone for the consistency shown throughout the season.
Jannik will face Machac
Sinner will return to action tomorrow against Machac for a place in the final in Shanghai. The Czech player is playing the best tennis of his career, but was defeated quite clearly by the Italian in their only match in Miami this year. "It was a great match for my team. We get to know each other a little better every time we face off. Today, I felt he had some shoulder issues, and everyone could see it, so he didn't play at his best level.These things can happen Sinner said after his win over Medvedev.
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The Italian ace also reflected on Rafael Nadals retirement: He has given us many emotions watching him play. Also, maintaining humility at the same time, not changing with success, selecting the right people around him, and having a good family. There are many good things he has given us all. It's tough news, but on the other hand, everything has a beginning and an end. Only he knows how he feels."
The world number 1 will have to be very careful about Machac, who is playing a very aggressive tennis from baseline and can play without having anything to lose. The number 33 of the world really impressed against Alcaraz, not allowing the Spanish champion to express his best tennis and breaking his winning streak.
I was looking for the revenge, for sure, he said after his win over the Spaniard. I tried to learn from the match against him at the Davis Cup, I was playing at a great level also there, but I just tried to do something different, and it happened, and I'm really happy with that. What I did? I was just trying to play this level, and take a little bit more time and try to not think about anything. And the body was playing on my behalf, so I just tried to be in the zone as long as possible.
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I really enjoy being here, and I really enjoy to play doubles with Zhang Zhizhen. It was great atmosphere on the court when we play doubles, and I hear some fans cheering for him, even in the singles, so I'm really enjoying that, and I'm really happy that I can be partners with him. So, happy with the crowd, too, to cheer for me here.
A dangerous rival
Tomas is ready for the next challenge: Well, I will try to play this level, and let's see what is going to happen. He's playing unbelievable tennis, especially on hard courts. It's the best tennis what I saw today, for sure. With Medvedev, he was playing unbelievable. But I'm really looking forward to the challenge, so I will enjoy it.
Jannik is looking for his third Masters 1000 this year, the fourth in his young career. His season impressed everyone and could be remembered as one of the best in the modern era. Sinner was able to stay focused on tennis despite the problems he had off the tennis court. The 23-year-old from San Candido has had to face a long trial for the doping case that we all know and the recent appeal of WADA will force him to more months of stress. Sinner has recently started a new collaboration with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, after having interrupted his professional relationship with Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi due to the doping case.
