Novak Djokovic is just one win away from his 100th ATP Tour title after reaching the Shanghai Masters final, where he will face year-end world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic aims to become the third player to achieve this milestone, joining Jimmy Connors (109 titles) and Roger Federer (103 titles). A victory would also mark his record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title. The 24-time Grand Slam champion defeated seventh seed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) on Saturday, while Sinner advanced by beating Tomas Machac, the conqueror of Carlos Alcaraz, with a score of 6-4, 7-5.
Djokovic dealt with a left hip issue late in the second set and took a medical timeout, but Fritz, unable to capitalize on two break points, fell to his 10th consecutive loss to the Serbian. Meanwhile, Sinner’s victory guaranteed him the distinction of being the first Italian to finish the year as world No. 1.
The 23-year-old expressed his joy after the match, stating, “It is something you dream of as a kid, just to reach No. 1. Ending the year this way is a different and special feeling. It means so much to me, and I couldn’t have done it without my family, friends, and my team.”
