Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic will meet in a highly anticipated final at the 2024 Shanghai Masters.

At the end of the 2023 season and at the start of this season, it seemed like these two players would be the two main rivals on the ATP Tour this year. That didn’t happen, but they will once again delight fans for the first time since January.

In Shanghai, Sinner had to beat Taro Daniel, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, and Tomas Machac to reach the final of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The Italian player lost one set against Etcheverry on his journey to the final.

Like his final opponent, Djokovic also lost one set on his way to the final match, which was in the quarter-final against Jakub Mensik. Before that, he beat Alex Michelsen, Flavio Cobolli, and Roman Safiullin, and in the semi-final, the Serbian player bested Taylor Fritz.

Naturally, prior to the final, both were asked about facing each other, and both knew what challenge awaited them. One will have to face the reigning World No. 1 player and the other 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“He’s in form the last 12 months, best player in the world, incredible tennis, just so consistent, and player to beat, no doubt, particularly on hard court. He knows my game, I know his game. We haven’t played since Australia this year. Yeah, I’m hoping for the best, you know, it’s going to take my highest level to win.”

Novak Djokovic

“We always had some very tough matches in the past. It’s going to be a very tough one, it’s one of the biggest challenges we have in our sport. So, you know, I’m happy that I can play against him in the final, it’s even more special, and then we see how it goes.”

Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic Head-to-head:

The two had already met seven times, with the 37-year-old leading the H2H 4-3. Naturally, Djokovic dominated the mini-rivalry early on, when he was closer to his peak and the Italian player was still relatively young and inexperienced.

Djokovic won in Monte Carlo in 2021, 6-4, 6-2, at Wimbledon in 2022, 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, and at Wimbledon in 2023, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4). However, the younger of the two then flipped the script.

Sinner won in the group stage of the 2023 ATP Finals, 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2), before losing in the final of the same tournament, 3-6, 3-6. He then beat Djokovic in the final of the Davis Cup Finals, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, and also won in a doubles match that both were involved in, but obviously, that doesn’t count towards their H2H.

Their last meeting happened at the Australian Open this year, and Sinner won that match 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 before claiming his first Grand Slam title.

Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic Prediction:

Djokovic might be leading the H2H, be the more experienced player, and be chasing his 100th career title, but realistically, Sinner is the better player at the moment.

However, the same could also be said about Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Paris Olympics final, yet, it was Djokovic who won the gold medal in the French capital.

Djokovic’s experience playing big matches and motivation certainly shouldn’t be underestimated. While Sinner is the favorite in this match and should win it, no one would be surprised if the Serbian legend once again proved his legendary status by winning this match.

Prediction: Jannik Sinner to win in three sets.

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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)