Novak Djokovic is currently battling through his knee injury, overcoming Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to reach the Shanghai Masters final. In a much-anticipated final, Djokovic will face world number one Jannik Sinner, who secured his place by defeating Tomas Machac 6-4, 7-5 earlier.

Despite his knee troubles, Djokovic managed to break Fritz in the first set’s crucial fifth game, taking it in just 38 minutes. The second set, however, was much more intense, with both players pushing each other to their limits through thrilling rallies.

Djokovic acknowledged the difficulty of the match, calling it an “incredible fight.” He said, “He could have easily taken the second set… it was a real battle in the tiebreak, but I just didn’t give up.”

The second set lasted much longer, with Djokovic visibly struggling after a long fifth game, where Fritz had control for nearly 13 minutes. Djokovic was bent over, breathing heavily. Fritz missed his chance to break in the eighth game, allowing Djokovic to hold. Djokovic later took a medical time-out due to discomfort in his left knee, even though his right knee had been strapped throughout the tournament.

Despite these challenges, Djokovic’s resilience shone through. Down 3-5 in the tiebreak, he fought back and, helped by a series of unforced errors from Fritz, claimed victory.

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner secured his place in the final by defeating Tomas Machac. The 23-year-old Italian, already confirmed to finish the year as the world number one, displayed his calm and collected approach throughout the match. Sinner fought back from an early break in the first set and won the second set with a crucial break in the final game.

Sinner expressed his joy at finishing the year on top of the rankings, saying, “It was a dream to become number one and to finish the year there is a completely different feeling. It’s been an incredible season, but it’s not over yet.”

The stage is now set for an exciting final between Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, and Sinner, who is enjoying a standout year at the top of the tennis world.

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The ATP Shanghai Masters 2024 is set to kick off its main draw from September 2 to 13. The qualifying rounds will start on September 30, multiple tennis stars are keen to boost their rankings and secure a spot in the ATP Finals 2024. Novak Djokovic is making a comeback after his surprising loss to Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the 2024 US Open.

Meanwhile, the reigning US Open champion Jannik Sinner is currently ranked World No. 1 and aiming to strengthen his lead further. Players like Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz are also looking to close the ranking gap. However, some of the top names will miss the tournament due to fitness and health concerns. Let’s take a closer look at the five players who have withdrawn from the 2024 Shanghai Masters.

Players Who Have Withdrawn from ATP Shanghai Masters 2024

1. Hubert Hurkacz

Defending champion Hubert Hurkacz will not be able to defend his title at the ATP Shanghai Masters. He sustained an injury during Wimbledon 2024 and has struggled to recover fully. Hurkacz was seeded second at the Japan Open, where he lost to Jack Draper in the second round. He also exited in the second round of the 2024 US Open, falling to Jordan Thompson. Due to his withdrawal, Hurkacz is expected to slip out of the top 10 rankings.

2. Alex de Minaur

Alex de Minaur is also missing the ATP Shanghai Masters following a hip injury sustained at Wimbledon 2024 during his fourth-round match against Arthur Fils. Despite reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, injuries have hampered his breakthrough year. Currently ranked eighth in the race standings, de Minaur’s chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals could be in jeopardy if Novak Djokovic competes in Shanghai.

3. Sebastian Korda

The 2024 Washington Open champion Sebastian Korda will sit out the ATP Shanghai Masters due to an elbow injury he sustained earlier this year. He last competed at the US Open, where he lost in the second round to Tomas Machac. Korda who was seeded 16th, faced significant criticism for his underwhelming performance on home turf.

4. Cameron Norrie

Cameron Norrie who missed the 2024 US Open due to a forearm injury, has also withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters. The Briton’s return to action has been further delayed, and his last appearance on the court was at the Bastad Open, where he lost to Rafael Nadal in straight sets.

5. Jan-Lennard Struff

Jan-Lennard Struff is known for his ability to challenge top seeds, especially on the hard and clay courts. His match against four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has showcased his on-court skills. However, Struff has pulled out of the tournament. His replacement Daniel Altmaier also withdrew paving the way for Italy’s Luca Nardi to compete at the Shanghai Masters.

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