Novak Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner in blockbuster Shanghai final – follow live

It’s not a surprise to these guys playing a couple of long points in the opening game. Sinner is trying to move Djokovic around the baseline and get his opponent out wide by opening up the court.

Djokovic, though, holds with an excellent serve down the middle.

Djokovic serves to get us started. This should be a cracker, although there will be plenty of attention on Djokovic’s knees after appearing to struggle slightly in the semi-final win over Taylor Fritz yesterday.

Carlos Alcaraz is sitting in the second row! An interested observer, clearly.

And here we go! The players are out on court in Shanghai and we’re moments away from the start of this Shanghai final. It’s a fourth Shanghai final for Djokovic and a first for Sinner – but the 100th title is on the line for the 37-year-old.

Sinner wins the toss and elects to receive.

A pre-match photo between Sinner and Djokovic – this is their second final, after the ATP Finals showpiece won by Djokovic in Turin last November.

Earlier this week, Novak Djokovic said he felt overwhelmed at the news he will be the only active member of the ‘Big Four’.

With Roger Federer and Andy Murray having already left the sport, Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that he will also hang up his racket at the end of the season.

“We knew that that moment is coming sooner than later but it’s still a shock,” Djokovic said.

“Also for Roger a few years ago when he announced retirement, and Andy as well this year. It’s a bit overwhelming for me. I don’t know what to make out of it. I still enjoy competing but part of me left with them, a big part of me.”

And yet he’s still out there competing for titles.

2024: Australian Open, semi-final, outdoor hard – Sinner wins in four sets

2023: Davis Cup Finals, semi-final, indoor hard – Sinner wins in three sets

2023: ATP Finals, final, indoor hard – Djokovic wins in two sets

2023: ATP Finals, round robin – Sinner wins in three sets

2023: Wimbledon, semi-final, grass – Djokovic wins in three sets

2022: Wimbledon, quarter-final, grass – Djokovic wins in five sets

2021: Monte Carlo, round of 32, clay, Djokovic wins in two sets

Yesterday, Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to achieve the world-end No 1 ranking after reaching the Shanghai Open final. The 23-year-old is bidding to win his seventh tourament of the year, to add to his grand slams at the US Open and Australian Open.

“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 after his victory over Tomas Machac in the semi-finals.

“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 says he won’t be the favourite against Jannik Sinner and he is expecting a physical battle with the World No 1, who ended his run of 33 wins in a row at the Australian Open earlier this year.

“I won’t be a favourite on the court, but hopefully I’ll be able to come out physically fresh enough, you know, to challenge him for what may be the long match.

“I have to expect probably the toughest encounter of the tournament … He knows my game, I know his game. We haven’t played since Australia this year. I’m hoping for the best, it’s going to take my highest level to win.”

Novak Djokovic reached the Shanghai Masters final with victory over Taylor Fritz on Saturday and is one win from joining the 100-club.

“I came to Shanghai after five years of not playing in China, the place where I’ve always had great success, both in Shanghai and Beijing,” he said.

“That creates an energy that keeps me going, keeps me running, so I did come here definitely with a vision and a desire to get to the final and fight for a 100th title.

“I get that chance against the best player in the world, and let’s see what happens.”

The Shanghai Masters final will be played from 09:30am on Sunday 13 October.

Sky Sports has the rights for the Shanghai Masters and will be showing Djokovic vs Sinner on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Tennis.

If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

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Welcome along to live coverage of the Shanghai Masters final, in what could be an epic between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner. There’s history on the line, and the latest chance to see Djokovic battle with one his two young rivals at the age of 37.

We’ll bring you all the build up until we get going just after 9:30am.