Novak Djokovic, displaying his trademark fighting spirit, overcame physical discomfort to secure a hard-fought victory over Taylor Fritz in the Shanghai Masters semi-final on Saturday. The win sets up a blockbuster final against world number one Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, despite struggling with knee issues, battled through a tense second set that went to a tiebreak, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (8/6). He acknowledged the intensity of the match, stating, “He could have easily won the second set… In the tiebreak, it was really anyone’s game, (but) I feel like I was never giving up.”
Earlier in the day, Sinner secured his place in the final with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Tomas Machac. This victory cemented his position as the year-end number one. Looking ahead to the final, Sinner acknowledged the formidable opponent he faces: “It’s going to be a very tough one, it’s one of the biggest challenges we have in our sport.”
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, has a perfect record against Fritz, having won all 10 of their previous encounters. The Serb, who has been managing knee discomfort, took a medical timeout in the second set but assured reporters afterward that the issue was not serious. “I could move freely and run and sprint, which is good news,” he said, adding, “I guess at this age you kind of have to expect that each match something different happens physically.”
The final on Sunday promises to be a captivating clash between two of the sport’s most talented players. Djokovic, despite not being the favorite, is determined to challenge Sinner, who will undoubtedly be eager to cap off his incredible year with a prestigious tournament win. The match is sure to be a grueling encounter, with both players pushing each other to their limits.
