Novak Djokovic reached the final of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai losing only one set during his run (against Mensik in the quarterfinals). The former world number 1 will play in a Masters 1000 final almost a year after Paris-Bercy 2023, when he defeated Grigor Dimitrov to win his 40th title in this type of tournament.
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion will try to win his first title of the season, but he will not be a favorite against current world number 1 Jannik Sinner. The Italian ace - who is much younger than Nole - is playing the best season of his career and has suffered only six defeats in the whole year.
Jannik has prevailed in the last two matches played against Novak, respectively in last years Davis Cup and in the Australian Open semi-final earlier this year. The Serbian legend is on the hunt for hisfifth title in Shanghai, while Sinner seeks hisseventh title in 2024 and the fourth Masters 1000 of his young career.
The feeling is that Djokovic will have to raise his level further if he wants to make the feat against a player who was almost unbeatable in 2024. The 23-year-old from San Candido is exalted on this surface and you have to play a tennis almost perfect to have a chance against him.
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A great final
The final between Djokovic and Sinner in Shanghai is perhaps the best possible, especially after the elimination of Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. I think we all saw how much talent he has, how much firepower he can produce, said Sinner after his win over Machac. I had to be very careful in every service game, because he returns very aggressively and very fast.
I just tried to stay there every point, to see what was going to happen, like you saw in the last game. Just playing every point with the maximum intensity I could, so Im very happy about that. Im happy to be back in a final again. I felt like in Miami I was hitting the ball very good. The conditions that week and how I touched the ball, I felt great. In Cincinnati its a bit different. The conditions there are usually a bit windy, its very difficult to play there. It was more like a mental week.
Here in Shanghai I just try to stay calm. Its not every day it will be the same. Im just looking forward to the final, to play every match I can in the best possible way and to try to find a solution somehow. I guess thats all Im going to try to do tomorrow and hopefully its going to win the match he added.
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Nole had some problems
The world number 1 knows that he should not underestimate a legend like Djokovic, who at 37 years old has no intention of giving up and who knows how to play well even on very fast surfaces. The 37-year-old from Belgrade had some physical problems during his match against Taylor Fritz today and his physical condition will have to be assessed in the next few hours.
After the announcement of the upcoming retirement of Rafa Nadal after the Davis Cup Finals, Djokovic said he is proud to continue competing and to keep the name of the old generation high against the new young champions. Well, I posted, you saw it on instagram. I meant every word. Hes been my greatest rival. The rivalry I had with him has impacted me the most in my career by far. I mean, we knew that the moment is coming sooner than later. But its still a shock. When it came officially, also for Roger a few years ago as well, when he announced retirement.. Andy as well this year.. its a bit overwhelming for me to be honest, Nole said. "I dont know what to make of it. I still enjoy competing. But part of me left with them.. a big part of me. Its tough news for the tennis world, for the sports world. Rafa has been an inspiration for millions of children around the world," he added.
The Serbian legend paid tribute to Rafa with a beautiful message on social media: Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player. Your passion for representing Spain has always been remarkable. I wish you best possible farewell in Malaga with Davis Cup team of Spain. I will be there in person to pay respect to your stellar career.
