Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a shot against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic (not pictured) in the men's singles semifinals at the Shanghai Masters in east China's Shanghai Municipality, October 12, 2024. /CFP
Top-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy defeated Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic 6-4, 7-5 in the men's singles semifinals at the Shanghai Masters in east China's Shanghai Municipality on Saturday, advancing to the final where he will face 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
Sinner surrendered a break in his first service game, but responded by breaking back in the fourth game to level the first set at 2-2. He then held in the ninth and converted a significant break point in the 10th to close out the set, and grab a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set was even closer. Machac earned two break points in the eighth game, but Sinner saved both chances. After bringing up match point in the 12th, the Italian broke his opponent again to secure the victory and clinch his first appearance in the Shanghai Masters final.
Since World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain lost to Machac in the quarterfinals, Sinner is guaranteed to be the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) year-end No. 1, after sitting on top of the rankings since early June.
"It's amazing. It's something you dream of when you are a kid, when you are young, just to reach the No. 1. Now having the year-end, it's also a different and special feeling," Sinner said. "It means so much to me, obviously. This is something I could not accomplish without all the people I have around – the family and friends – and also a big credit to my team."
Novak Djokovic hits a shot gainst Taylor Fritz of the USA (not pictured) in the men's singles semifinals at the Shanghai Masters in east China's Shanghai Municipality, October 12, 2024. /CFP
No. 4 seed Djokovic defeated seventh-seeded Taylor Fritz of the USA 6-4, 7-6(8-6) in the other semifinal match. The Serbian converted a break to take the first set. In the much-fiercer second set, both players managed to hold their first six serves before Djokovic outlasted Fritz in a tiebreak to win.
After pocketing his 10th straight win over Fritz, Djokovic will compete in his fifth Shanghai Masters final after previously winning the tournament four times. He will also play for his 100th ATP Tour title.
"Shanghai has always been a great place for me. I always feel comfortable. I love playing in front of this crowd," Djokovic said. "Had tremendous support tonight. I'm very grateful to all the people who really pushed me through even when I was down in the tiebreak. It's great to play in that kind of atmosphere. Hopefully, tomorrow can be another good match against the best player in the world."