Novak Djokovic will chase his 100th ATP title in Shanghai against Jannik Sinner. The 24-time Major winner is trying to become the third player in the Open era with a century of trophies, hoping to join Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
Novak claimed his first ATP title in Amersfoort in July 2006, embracing an incredible journey in the previous 18 years and becoming the most accomplished player of all time. Djokovic led the field in 2023, adding seven titles to is name and standing on 98.
However, he slowed down this season, playing his first final at Wimbledon and falling to Carlos Alcaraz. The Serb stepped in at the Olympic Games, the most desired tournament of the year. Novak defeated six rivals in straight sets, toppling Alcaraz in an epic title clash and lifting the 99th ATP trophy.
The 37-year-old is seeking the 100th in Shanghai, reaching his fifth final at one of his favorite events after not playing in China for five years.
The legend looks at the possible 100th ATP title as an extra motivation, hoping to claim it in front of his partisan crowd in this country after achieving so much there between 2009 and 2018.
Competing in Shanghai for the first time since 2019, Djokovic faced Alex Michelsen in the second round and prevailed 7-6, 7-6 in an hour and 55 minutes. The American led 4-1 in the first set and erased a 4-1 deficit in the second set, earning two set points in the tie break but finishing on the losing side.
Novak saved three of five break points and grabbed two return games from seven opportunities. He outplayed the young gun in the pivotal moments and sealed the deal in straight sets after landing 34 winners and 23 mistakes, performing better in the mid-range and most advanced rallies.
Djokovic played against another youngster in the third round, with Flavio Cobolli facing his idol for the first time. The Serb sailed past the Italian 6-1, 6-2 in 63 minutes, booking a place in the last 16.
Novak Djokovic is seeking his 100th ATP title in Shanghai.
Cobolli struggled on serve and return, failing to challenge the four-time champion.
Novak lost seven points in his games, facing no break points and keeping the pressure on the other side. The veteran took over half of the return points, generating nine break points and delivering four breaks to control the scoreboard.
Djokovic landed 20 winners and 14 unforced errors, taking charge and keeping Cobolli on six direct points. Also, the Serb had the upper hand from the baseline and at the net, playing well and remaining on the title course. Novak took down Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 13 minutes en route to his 95th Masters 1000 quarter-final.
Like in the previous round, Djokovic produced rock-solid numbers on serve and return, dropping four points behind the first serve and denying all three break points. Safiullin felt the pressure and cracked under it, getting broken three times and propelling the legend through.
A couple of years ago, Novak helped the young Czech Jakub Mensik with advice and support, encouraging him to chase his dreams. Now, they met in the quarter-final and embraced a fine battle.
A teenager pushed the veteran before Djokovic prevailed 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes, reaching his ninth Shanghai Masters semi-final. Novak lost serve while serving for the opening set at 5-4. He lost the first part of the duel in the tie break and made a fresh start in the second, keeping the pressure on the young gun and providing four breaks that carried him through.
Jakub blasted 17 aces but lost the ground behind the second serve, suffering a break in the middle of the final set and ending his campaign in the quarter-final. Djokovic faced Taylor Fritz in the semi-final and scored a tight 6-4, 7-6 victory in an hour and 59 minutes, moving into his 59th Masters 1000 final and chasing the 41st title.
The Serb injured his left leg and hip in the fifth game of the second set. However, he remained competitive and received a medical timeout after the 11th game, sealing the deal in the tie break and arranging the clash against world no.
1 Jannik Sinner. Novak served at 70% and saved both break points in the second set. Taylor denied eight of nine break points, doing everything to stay in touch but suffering his tenth loss against the legend from as many duels.
Fritz had more service winners but struggled from the baseline, feeling the pressure on his backhand. The 24-time Major winner forged the advantage in the shortest and most advanced exchanges, saving a set point in the tie break and earning a chance to fight for his 100th ATP title.
"My love for tennis will never fade. I still feel a lot of emotions when I play and train. My relationship with this sport is much more profound; it goes beyond a single tournament or a wrong season.
Even when I retire, I will stay in tennis in a different role. It has given everything to me, and I owe a lot to this sport. I have achieved a lot of success in Beijing and Shanghai. I have been away from China for five years but love playing here.
I like the conditions and the support I receive from the crowd. I can claim my 100th ATP title in Shanghai, which is an extra motivation," Novak Djokovic said.
