Jannik Sinner defeated Tomas Machac 6-4, 7-5 in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, securing his spot in the final and guaranteeing that he will finish the year as the world number one.
The 23-year-old Italian will face either four-time Shanghai champion Novak Djokovic or world number seven Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday.
Sinner has held the top ranking since June, and his decisive victory over Machac ensures he will remain in that position until at least the end of the season, making him the first Italian to achieve this milestone.
In his post-match comments, Sinner expressed his excitement about reaching this goal: “It was only a dream just to become number one… Now finishing (the year there) is also a different feeling. It’s a good feeling. I’m very happy to achieve this. It was an amazing season for me, and it’s not finished yet.” He added that his focus is now on the upcoming final.
The semi-final against Machac started with an intense exchange, as the Czech player broke Sinner’s serve in the first game. Machac, ranked 33rd, aimed to replicate his upset victory over world number two Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the tournament. However, Sinner, a two-time Grand Slam champion, quickly regained his composure, breaking back in the fourth game and ultimately taking the first set.
The second set remained tightly contested, with neither player managing to break serve until the 12th game. Sinner sealed his victory with a powerful winner, earning his place in the final.
“It was very tough… he is playing with so much confidence, and he can hit a ball really hard and serve very well,” Sinner remarked about Machac’s performance.
As he prepares for the final, Sinner looks to cap off an impressive season with a significant victory.
