Unbreakable Jannik Sinner wins title in Shanghai and leaves Djokovic without his 100th title
Neither Carlos Alcaraz nor Roger Federer wanted to miss this final. A duel for survival in this tennis that is beginning to realize that it is entering another era without the great legends that made it huge, although it remains Novak Djokovic He is 37 years old and has a knee brace that refuses to bow to time. On the contrary, he seems to find in the farewells of his greatest rivals the energy to ensure that this other tennis does not disappear for a moment. But the Serbian found himself face to face with an evolved version of himself, younger and fresher, who drove him away from this magnificent attempt to win his 100th title: Jannik Sinner unflappable, impenetrable and deadly, winning his seventh title of the year in Shanghai (7-6 (4) to 6-3) in one hour and 37 minutes.
|
|
7 |
6 |
|
|
6 |
3 |
He will have to wait for the century, because Sinner once again symbolizes that the Big Three have a worthy witness. The Italian, best over the distance with titles at the Australian Open, US Open and five others, has emerged as a formidable contender, a robot capable of shackling any style who will finish the year at No. 1 for the first of many times. predicted for your future.
However, in the final in Shanghai he was initially seen with some tension. On the other side was Djokovic, a huge tennis player who readily closes the cracks when he gets into winning mode, with that chip that changes and simmers in the final, winner of 24 Grand Slams, one who has been the leader of the ATP and another 1000 Masters and more … All. And much of the final rested on the shoulders of the Italian, who handled his serves well but, somewhat trapped, was unable to find the necessary spark to unbalance the match in his favor.
He was hampered by the tension and Djokovic himself, who was 0-30 with the score 5-4 in favor, but Sinner’s expression also changed. Two good forehands rushing towards the lines, a wall in the background and an irresistible serve to destroy the options and force the opponent to find another way to win the first set, extended to a tie-break when the match lasted 45 minutes. . He received a mysterious towel from his team with a score of 6-5, and from here his mental consolidation was confirmed: punishment from the back of the court, endless to reach all angles, unrepentant to come back with more speed, with more power, what he tried Djokovic was more vicious.
The stuck volley condemned the Serbian, an ironic smile after the mistake because Sinner is a rock and with the serve in his favor (he made eight straight aces) it was a lost cause.
After a year in which he focused all his energy on achieving his career goal: Olympic gold in Paris, he found no more fuel for any other tournament, for the first time in the white uniform. But this fall he became rejuvenated and reached this final with all the honors and certain physical fears, which he canceled upon the arrival of this duel with Sinner. However, the long-awaited 100th title will have to wait. The Italian seemed to step up his game in the second set, while Djokovic lacked the strength to maintain the level.
A break in the fourth game meant the end: Sinner (22 winners and 18 errors) did not falter either in his pulse, or his eyes, or his hand to continue hitting with serve, either forehand or backhand. Faster, stronger and more effective in every strike. A nightmare that shows no weaknesses in victory mode. An updated version of Djokovic himself. And the Serb had no choice but to accept the biggest of them: he also made several mistakes that arose as a result of disappointment and humility. Djokovic is still here, let no one forget, his ambitions recovered from Olympic wear and tear, but Sinner lives in a state of grace in 2024.
Confidence, tennis, mentality. An emotional, physical and unflappable robot who won his seventh title of the season after Australia, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati and the US Open at 23 years old. Number 1 today, and few can upset him.