| October 12, 2024 | by Vivienne Christie |
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While Jannik Sinner sets his sights on lifting a first Rolex Shanghai Masters trophy, Novak Djokovic is targeting the history-making 100th title of his career.
Whatever way you look at it, an epic new milestone will be set in the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters final.
For Jannik Sinner, there's the chance to become the seventh different champion in tournament history and build on his history-making season.
Novak Djokovic, by contrast, is eyeing both a fifth Rolex Shanghai Masters title and the 100th trophy of his career. Should he achieve that astonishing century, the Serbian will join Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only men to do so in the modern era.
It sets a spectacular stage as Sinner and Djokovic prepare to take to contest an eighth professional match. While Djokovic holds a 4-3 head-to-head lead, Sinner is the winner of their past two matches - at the 2023 Davis Cup Finals and the Australian Open in January - and both on a hard court.
"We always had some very tough matches in the past," said Sinner of the challenge against the Serbian. "It's going to be a very tough one, it's one of the biggest challenges we have in our sport. I'm happy that I can play against him in the final, it's even more special."
The world No.1 is well prepared for that challenge. Sinner has added to breathtaking year in Shanghai wins over Taro Daniel, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev and Tomas Machac. His win-loss record for 2024 now stands at 64 match wins against just six losses.
Djokovic, now playing a more limited schedule at age 37, has recorded wins against Alex Michelsen, Flavio Cobolli, Roman Safiullin, Jakub Mensik and Taylor Fritz in Shanghai this year. It bolsters his record for the 2024 season to 37 wins and eight losses.
Seeded No.4 in Shanghai, Djokovic appreciates the challenge in achieving further success against Sinner.
"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," said Djokovic, who has the chance to claim a record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 title.
"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."
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