The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 27, 2025
Today: March 27, 2025

Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan

China Tennis Shanghai Masters
October 12, 2024
AP - AP

SHANGHAI (AP) โ€” Top-ranked Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, giving the Italian his tour-leading seventh title of the season.

The Italian bettered the 24-time Grand Slam champion 7-6 (4), 6-3 in an hour and 37 minutes and never faced a break point in the outdoor hard-court tournament. Sinner hit eight aces and 22 winners to four and 12, respectively, for Djokovic.

Djokovic was aiming for his 100th tour-level title and his fifth in Shanghai. Only Jimmy Connors with 109 titles and Roger Federer with 103 have hit the century mark in menโ€™s tennis.

Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan
China Tennis Shanghai Masters

Sinner became the first man to win more than six titles in a season since Andy Murray won nine in 2016. He also pulled level in his career record against Djokovic, now at four wins apiece.

โ€œIt was a very tough match, obviously, playing against Novak is one of the toughest challenges we have,โ€ Sinner said. โ€œItโ€™s tough to tell you a secret about (Djokovic) because he doesnโ€™t have any weaknesses. You have to try and use the small chances that he gives you, but there are not many during the match. He is a legend of our sport, heโ€™s very tough to play against, so I am very happy.โ€

The victory for Sinner came after he lost the final of the China Open in Beijing to Carlos Alcaraz and amid an ongoing doping case.

The 23-year-old Sinner is now 8-2 against top-5 opponents on hard courts this year, with both losses coming against Alcaraz, who watched Sundayโ€™s final from the stands.

Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan
China Tennis Shanghai Masters

The 37-year-old Djokovic was playing in China for this first time in five years.

He also lost to Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals. His only title for the year so far was at the Paris Olympics, where he beat Alcaraz for the gold medal.

โ€œI think I played some really good tennis, but congratulations to Jannik,โ€ Djokovic said. โ€œHe was just too good today. Too strong, too fast, well done. Youโ€™re having an incredible year. You deserve this.โ€

Sabalenka wins Wuhan Open

Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka won the Wuhan Open for a third year in a row after beating Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the final.

Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan
China Tennis Shanghai Masters

It was a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won. She then added the U.S Open title last month. She is now 4-0 against Zheng.

The Belarussian player took her record at the tournament to 17-0. She has won four tournaments this year.

___

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Related Articles

Carlos Alcaraz doesn't support the lawsuit from the tennis players' group Novak Djokovic founded LeBron James says heโ€™s โ€˜happy to have helpedโ€™ Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells win Coco Gauff heads home to the Miami Open after her 21st birthday and a bit of a rough patch Mirra Andreeva beats Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells. Jack Draper wins the men's title
Share This

Popular

Asia|Europe|Political|World

North Korea has sent 3,000 more soldiers to bolster Russiaโ€™s war on Ukraine, South Korea says

North Korea has sent 3,000 more soldiers to bolster Russiaโ€™s war on Ukraine, South Korea says
Europe|US|World

Search underway for 4 US Army soldiers missing in Lithuania

Search underway for 4 US Army soldiers missing in Lithuania
Economy|Europe|Finance

Norway central bank keeps rate on hold in policy reversal

Norway central bank keeps rate on hold in policy reversal
Business|Crime|Economy|Europe|Stock Markets

Russia's Rusagro loses a third of its value after arrest of billionaire founder Moshkovich

Russia's Rusagro loses a third of its value after arrest of billionaire founder Moshkovich

Europe

Business|Economy|Europe|Fashion and Beauty|Finance|Stock Markets

Next CEO's billion pound milestone stirs succession concern

Next CEO's billion pound milestone stirs succession concern
Europe|Political|US|World

Denmark prime minister praises people of Greenland amid pressure from Trump

Denmark prime minister praises people of Greenland amid pressure from Trump
Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|Political

China's Xi to meet with BMW, Mercedes, Qualcomm CEOs, sources say

China's Xi to meet with BMW, Mercedes, Qualcomm CEOs, sources say
Business|Economy|Europe|Finance

Euro zone lending growth accelerates further, ECB data shows

Euro zone lending growth accelerates further, ECB data shows