Novak Djokovic had to dig deep to keep his title hopes alive, but Jannik Sinner had no option but to retire from his match on a dramatic day at the Shanghai Masters.
Four-time champion Djokovic bounced back from a set down to outlast Germany’s Yannik Hanfmann 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, after two hours and 42 minutes of play. The 24-time Grand Slam champion withstood 33 winners produced by his opponent and impressively didn’t face a single break point during the last two sets of the match. He has now won 41 matches at the Masters 1000 event, which is more than any other player in history.
“It was a great battle. I think Yannick deserved great credit and round of applause for the performance,” Djokovic said afterwards.
“He was close to winning it. He was, I think, a better player, controlling the match for a set and a half. I was really hanging on, really had to dig deep to stay in the match, stay alive, and that’s what I’ve done.
“It felt like, towards the end of the second set, I started to read his serve better. Whenever he had the ball on the racquet he was playing so fast, he always put me on the back foot. Obviously proud to overcome his big challenge.”
The 38-year-old is chasing after more history in Asia this year. Should he win the Shanghai trophy, he will overtake Roger Federer for the most hard-court titles won in the Open Era (71). Although there is still a way to go for that to happen for the Serbian, whose most recent piece of silverware won was in May on clay at the Geneva Open.
As for where his level is, Djokovic is particularly happy with his serve. In his last two matches played, he has won 80% or more of points behind his first serve. Before facing Hanfmann, he also beat former US Open champion Marin Cilic.
“The first couple of matches here, I must say that (his serve) probably stands out as the best shot in my game,” he commented.
“It makes a difference. It made a difference for him (Hanfmann). He broke my serve early in the first, and he held his serve comfortably all the way until the end of the second.
“So even though the courts are slower than they were last year, and the balls as well. But if you’re hitting your spots well with the serve, it’s tough to break serve.
“I need to improve my game overall from the baseline. I know what needs to be better, and hopefully it will in the next round.”
Sinner’s Body gives up against inspired Griekspoor
Meanwhile, top seed Sinner was pushed to his limits by an inspired Tallon Griekspoor before being forced to retire more than two-and-a-half hours into the match due to severe camping that left him unable to walk.
In a late-night roller-coaster that went on until after midnight, world No.2 Sinner was unable to break his Dutch rival despite having six opportunities to do so. Sinner was almost as impressive on serve but faltered at 5-5 in the second frame, which enabled Griekspoor to take the showdown into a decider.
With all to play for, the former world No.1 showed serious signs of a physical issue four games into the third set, with his left leg cramping. From that moment, he was barely able to run and ended up having to be helped to his seat following the conclusion of that game. Sinner then received a medical assessment but had no option but to retire.
“This is definitely not the way you want to win. Brutal conditions here in Shanghai all week already,” said Griekspoor.
“I felt we were still a little bit lucky to play in the evening without the sun. I’m Sorry for him (Sinner), I wish him a speedy recovery.”
This year’s tournament has been affected by the heat and hot humidity. Earlier on Sunday, Holger Rune had to take a medical timeout for a heat-related issue during his 6-4, 6-4, win over Ugo Humbert. At the time, the temperature was estimated to be 34 degrees Celsius.
However, the conditions are failing to spoil Griekspoor’s mood, who came into Shanghai having failed to win a match at his six previous tournaments. It is the first time he has claimed back-to-back wins at the same event since June.
“I had two and a half months without winning a match. Struggled a lot in the US, played really poorly there.” He commented.
“I lost in the first round in Chengdu and in Beijing, but my game was actually better. I felt like it was it was slowly coming.
“I feel like two days ago, the first round win was very important for me here just to get rid of that losing streak.”
