Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan

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Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan

2024-10-13 23:29 Last Updated At：23:30

SHANGHAI (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, giving the Italian his tour-leading seventh title of the season.

The Italian bettered the 24-time Grand Slam champion 7-6 (4), 6-3 in an hour and 37 minutes and never faced a break point in the outdoor hard-court tournament. Sinner hit eight aces and 22 winners to four and 12, respectively, for Djokovic.

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Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy speaks with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds ups silver medal after losing the men's singles finals match to Jannik Sinner of Italy for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, chats with Novak Djokovic of Serbia during a trophy ceremony after their men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, hugs with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, shakes hands with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic waves to the spectators as he leaves the court after defeated by Jannik Sinner of Italy in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy speaks with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds ups silver medal after losing the men's singles finals match to Jannik Sinner of Italy for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, chats with Novak Djokovic of Serbia during a trophy ceremony after their men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, hugs with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, shakes hands with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic waves to the spectators as he leaves the court after defeated by Jannik Sinner of Italy in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Djokovic was aiming for his 100th tour-level title and his fifth in Shanghai. Only Jimmy Connors with 109 titles and Roger Federer with 103 have hit the century mark in men’s tennis.

Sinner became the first man to win more than six titles in a season since Andy Murray won nine in 2016. He also pulled level in his career record against Djokovic, now at four wins apiece.

“It was a very tough match, obviously, playing against Novak is one of the toughest challenges we have,” Sinner said. “It’s tough to tell you a secret about (Djokovic) because he doesn’t have any weaknesses. You have to try and use the small chances that he gives you, but there are not many during the match. He is a legend of our sport, he’s very tough to play against, so I am very happy.”

The victory for Sinner came after he lost the final of the China Open in Beijing to Carlos Alcaraz and amid an ongoing doping case.

The 23-year-old Sinner is now 8-2 against top-5 opponents on hard courts this year, with both losses coming against Alcaraz, who watched Sunday’s final from the stands.

The 37-year-old Djokovic was playing in China for this first time in five years.

He also lost to Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals. His only title for the year so far was at the Paris Olympics, where he beat Alcaraz for the gold medal.

“I think I played some really good tennis, but congratulations to Jannik,” Djokovic said. “He was just too good today. Too strong, too fast, well done. You’re having an incredible year. You deserve this.”

Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka won the Wuhan Open for a third year in a row after beating Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the final.

It was a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won. She then added the U.S Open title last month. She is now 4-0 against Zheng.

The Belarussian player took her record at the tournament to 17-0. She has won four tournaments this year.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander each score 22 as Thunder take 2-0 lead over Lakers in West semis

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn't scoring the way he usually does, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are still winning the way they normally do.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, averaged 31.1 points during the regular season. In the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, he is averaging 20 points and taking only 14 shots per game.

Oklahoma City has still won the first two games by an average of 18 points. Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren each scored 22 points, and the defending champion Thunder beat the Lakers 125-107 on Thursday night.

Ajay Mitchell, starting in place of injured Jalen Williams, is averaging 19 points on 50% shooting in the series for Oklahoma City.

“I think the coaching staff does a good job at just getting all of us ready,” said Mitchell, a second-year guard. "And we have a lot of competitors. Like, everyone’s a competitor on our team. So every time the lights are bright, everyone’s ready to go.”

Holmgren is the leading scorer for the Thunder in the best-of-seven series with 23 points per game. The 2026 All-Star also is averaging 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

Jared McCain, a midseason acquisition from the Philadelphia 76ers, barely played in the first round against Phoenix but has averaged 15 points and made 8 of 10 3-pointers in the series.

“He goes in there, stays in character, stays aggressive," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "He’s going to shoot the next shot. He makes the right plays, plays inside the team. He competes defensively, has had good defensive possessions for us. And he was huge tonight. You need that in a playoff series.”

The Lakers again were without scoring champion Luka Doncic, who is out indefinitely with a strained left hamstring. They also were missing forward Jarred Vanderbilt, the reserve forward who dislocated the pinkie on his right hand during the second quarter of Game 1. The Lakers had three players finish with five fouls, limiting their aggressiveness late in the game.

Los Angeles guard Austin Reaves, who struggled with his shot in Game 1, scored 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting in Game 2. LeBron James, coming off a 27-point effort in Game 1, followed that up with 23.

With the Lakers up 63-61 early in the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander got tied up with Reaves and was called for his fourth foul. Upon review, it was upgraded to a flagrant 1 for Gilgeous-Alexander's follow through. Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso was called for a technical foul as the situation was being sorted out.

Gilgeous-Alexander left the game with the Lakers up 65-61, but the Thunder rallied and took control without him. On a fast break, Holmgren found a trailing Jaylin Williams, who hit a 3-pointer and was fouled. His free throw put the Thunder up 85-74.

The Thunder outscored the Lakers 32-15 while Gilgeous-Alexander was out in the third quarter to take a 93-80 lead into the fourth.

“It was amazing," Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They strung together stops, they’re playing the right way offensively and things are going their way. Full confidence in those guys. They know how to win basketball games. And we've proven that. They’ve proven that no matter who’s on the floor, they know how to get the job done. And they just did it again tonight."

The Lakers cut Oklahoma City's lead to five in the fourth quarter before the Thunder pulled away again.

Los Angeles will host Game 3 on Saturday.

“We just stuck with it,” Holmgren said. “It’s the game of basketball. It’s not always going to go your way. It’s about how you respond. And this team has proven many times that we know how to respond. And we did so tonight.”

This story has been corrected to show that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 20, not 19, points per game against the Lakers.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan

Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to take Shanghai Masters title, Sabalenka reigns in Wuhan

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy speaks with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds ups silver medal after losing the men's singles finals match to Jannik Sinner of Italy for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, chats with Novak Djokovic of Serbia during a trophy ceremony after their men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, hugs with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, shakes hands with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy speaks with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds ups silver medal after losing the men's singles finals match to Jannik Sinner of Italy for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates with his trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, chats with Novak Djokovic of Serbia during a trophy ceremony after their men's singles finals match for the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, hugs with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, shakes hands with Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic after winning in their men's singles semifinals match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return against Machac of the Czech Republic during the men's singles semifinals match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles semifinals match against Machac of the Czech Republic in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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