PremiumShanghai Masters 2024: Sinner vs Machac & Djokovic vs Fritz; schedule, live stream
Shanghai Masters 2024: A four-time champ and three first-timers in the semis on October 12. Who will head to the final on October 13?
Last Updated: 01.52 PM, Oct 12, 2024
Four men are still standing at the Shanghai Masters 2024 ATP 1000 tournament, one of who has won it multiple times, while the other three have not. The semi-finals of the tournament will play out on October 12 at the Qizhong main stadium. Jannik Sinner will take on Tomas Machac in the first match, followed by Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz.
Jannik Sinner vs Tomas Machac
The World No.1, Sinner will go into the match with a slight advantage – not only has he had a good season, but he’s also beaten Machac in their previous encounter, which was at the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami. This is Machac’s first-ever ATP Masters 1000 tournament semi-final. The prediction, of course, is for Sinner to have a smooth sailing into the final on October 13, where he will meet the winner of the Djokovic vs Fritz semi.
Route to the semis:
Sinner reached the Stage of 4 with wins over Taro Daniel. Tomas Etcheverry, Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev, while Machac did so by sending A Davidovich, Aleksandar Vukic, Tommy Paul and Carlos Alcaraz home.
When and where to watch: Tune in to Sony Sports or log in to SonyLIV at 2 pm
Shanghai Masters 2024: Novak Djokovic powers past Jakub Mensik; sets up semi clash with Taylor Fritz
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz
In the second semi-final on October 12, four-time Shanghai Masters winner Djokovic, who is gunning for a career 100th title, will meet Fritz. The odds are stacked heavily in favour of Djokovic, as he has defeated Fritz in every single one of their 9 encounters so far between 2019 and 2024, including the quarter-final of the Australian Open earlier this year.
However, during his quarter-final match against Jakub Mensik, Djokovic appeared to be having trouble with his left knee, which sparked injury concerns. The tennis star still sports a brace on his right knee, which was injured during the French Open and was then operated on. Could this, then, be the day, that Fritz finally gets the better of Djokovic or will the latter get a step closer to that 100th title?
Route to the semis
Djokovic won in straight sets against Alex Michelsen, Flavio Cobolli and Roman Safiullin, with only Jakub Mensik putting up a fight and taking him to a deciding third set. Fritz defeated Terence Atmane, Yosuke Watanuki, Holger Rune and David Goffin to get to the semi-final.
When and where to watch: Tune in to Sony Sports or log in to SonyLIV at 4.30 pm (expected start). You can also catch all the ATP tennis action on OTTplay Premium.