Connect with us

latest

Historic Win: Sinner Defeats Djokovic To Capture Shanghai Masters, Thwarting 100th Title

Published

on

Historic Win: Sinner Defeats Djokovic To Capture Shanghai Masters, Thwarting 100th Title. World number one Jannik Sinner defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 on Sunday to win the Shanghai Masters.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sinner took a crucial break in the fourth game of the second set to defeat the Serb in 1hr 37min and deny him a 100th career singles title.

“He was just too good today, too strong, too fast,” Djokovic said after the match.

Sinner said it was a “very special day”, saluting his opponent as a “legend” who kept playing “incredible tennis… year after year”.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner lifts the winner’s trophy following his victory against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in their men’s singles final match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 13, 2024. 

In a nod to former Djokovic rival Roger Federer, who was watching from the stands, the 23-year-old joked: “There are legends everywhere, I just try to keep up a little bit.”

Facing off before an impassioned crowd, neither player blinked in the first set, unable to break the other’s serve.

Sinner quickly took control in the tiebreak, breaking Djokovic’s serve on the first point and going 5-1 up.

The Serb steadied himself but then netted a volley to bring up set point at 6-3.

Sinner failed to convert initially but didn’t miss the second time behind serve.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic speaks while holding his runner’s-up trophy following his defeat by Italy’s Jannik Sinner in their men’s singles final match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 13, 2024.

The next key moment came in the fourth game of the second set when Sinner was up 40-15 on Djokovic’s serve.

Djokovic saved one break point with a fiery ace but couldn’t stop a superb forehand down the line from Sinner that saw him pull ahead.

All that remained was for the Italian to hold his nerve, hitting an ace to finish the match and claim the title.

 ‘Tough year’

Sinner’s victory is the latest triumph in a formidable season, in which he has won two Grand Slams and retained the top spot in the rankings since June.

But it is also a year that has seen him embroiled in controversy after he twice tested positive for a banned steroid in March.

In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted Sinner’s explanation that the drug entered his system unintentionally when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports therapy to the player.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner (C) poses on the podium following his victory against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (2nd R) in their men’s singles final match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 13, 2024. 

However, the World Anti-Doping Agency said last month it would appeal against the decision to clear him of wrongdoing and was seeking a ban of up to two years.

That news came as Sinner was contesting the China Open, where he lost in the final to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who was also watching from the stands on Sunday.

“This year has been very, very tough for me… At points I lost a little bit of smile,” Sinner said on Sunday.

“It’s never easy to play in these kind of circumstances,” he added.

“I feel like I’m strong when I go on the court trying to not think about it… When I wake up I try to focus on every single (match or practice) I do, but then of course I have moments when I think about it which is not comfortable.”

 ‘Deserved’ win

Djokovic said Sinner played “the big points better” and “deserved to win”.

The 37-year-old said that getting a 100th title was “not a live-or-die type of goal”, but he would keep trying.

Djokovic became the last man standing from tennis’ golden era after Rafael Nadal announced his retirement this week and said that, despite the loss, he was pleased with his performance in Shanghai.

“I played pretty good, which gives me, I guess, a reason to believe that I can still play with these guys that are the best in the world at this level,” he said.

“As long as that’s the case, I guess I’ll still feel the need to keep on competing and the motivation to be out there.”

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

latest

Kogi Police Probe Horrific Incident As Officer Allegedly K!lls Girlfriend Before Taking Own Life.

Published

on

The Kogi State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the deaths of two individuals in Ajaokuta amid reports of a suspected murder-suicide involving two police officers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Afusat Saliu, confirmed the development during an interview with Sunday Punch on Saturday.

According to an earlier report by SaharaReporters, a corporal attached to the Ajaokuta Division, identified as Amos, allegedly shot his girlfriend, Grace, who was also a corporal, before shooting himself with his AK-47 rifle.

A source disclosed that Amos reported for night duty as a station guard at about 6 p.m. on Friday but allegedly left his duty post a few hours later.

He was said to have gone to Grace’s quarters at around 9 p.m., where he allegedly fired three shots at her, striking her shoulder, lower abdomen and leg, before turning the weapon on himself.

The source attributed the incident to an ongoing crisis in the couple’s relationship.

Reports indicated that the two officers had been dating for several years, but their relationship reportedly became strained in recent months following allegations of infidelity and a breakdown of trust.

Their disagreements allegedly escalated into physical altercations and threats, leading the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) to detain them at one point and advise them to end the relationship.

“The two junior police officers had been dating for some years now, but a few months ago, they started having trust issues and cheating allegations. There had been physical fights and threats to the extent that they were detained at some point by the DCO, who later advised them to end the love relationship for the sake of peace,” the source said.

The source added that the couple’s disagreements continued despite the DCO’s intervention.

Speaking to Punch, Saliu confirmed that the command was aware of the incident and said the findings would be made public after the investigation had been completed.

“We are aware of the incident, and the case is currently under investigation; we will update members of the public after the investigation is concluded,” she said.

However, the police spokesperson declined to immediately confirm whether the deceased were members of the command.

“I cannot confirm that to you right now, but we are investigating the circumstances that led to their death,” she stated.

Saliu also refused to confirm whether the incident was a case of suicide, stressing that the police were yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“I cannot also tell you if the couple committed suicide or not until the investigation is concluded. We will release an official statement once I get a conclusive report on the matter,” she added.

Continue Reading

latest

Ronaldinho Stuns Football Fans With Shock Return Plans At 46.

Published

on

Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho is set to make a surprise return to the pitch at 46, more than a decade after stepping away from professional football.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The former Barcelona and AC Milan star is expected to feature for Italian third-division club Ravenna in their derby encounter against Forli on Sunday, November 15.

Ravenna announced the date on Saturday, several months after revealing in June that the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner would be joining the club.

In a statement, the Italian side said, “The wait now has a date: Sunday, November 15.

“The Brazilian legend will wear the Ravenna FC shirt in the derby against Forli.

“An event that will turn the eyes of the world toward the Bruno Benelli Stadium.”

Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2005, officially retired from professional football in 2015 following an illustrious career with several top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan.

Beyond his planned appearance, the Brazilian legend is also a shareholder in Ravenna. His return to action could provide another opportunity to pursue his ambition of reaching 300 career goals.

Ravenna currently occupy second place in Group B of Italy’s third division, six points behind league leaders Spezia.

The club are targeting promotion to Serie B for the first time since 2008, and Ronaldinho’s anticipated appearance is expected to generate further excitement around their campaign, Naija News reports.

Continue Reading

entertainment

‘Don’t Rush Into Marriage!’ – Ruth Kadiri Warns Young Couples Against Societal Pressure

Published

on

Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has advised young couples to avoid spending excessively on wedding ceremonies, warning that elaborate celebrations can place unnecessary pressure on marriages.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the mother of two shared her advice in a video posted on her Instagram page, where she discussed the mental and emotional challenges couples may face when preparing for marriage.

Kadiri explained that while some people enjoy dating and spending time with their partners, they begin to develop fears about marriage when confronted with the responsibilities, expectations and pressures associated with it.

According to the actress, expensive wedding ceremonies can add to these anxieties and make the transition into married life more difficult for couples.

She said, “I do think that big weddings put pressure on couples; it puts pressure on the marriage itself. Big weddings, it puts pressure on people, and they don’t seem to have realised that. They don’t seem to have realised that because I’m not just talking about spiritually or what; I’m talking about mentally.

“Do you know that people have a phobia, a fear? People naturally have a fear of what marriage is. But they could date, they will date this girl, love her, be with her every day, every day, every day and then after this whole damn ceremony, have you asked yourself what changed? Married, that wedding is part of what changed.”

The actress encouraged young couples to embrace simpler wedding arrangements, suggesting that they could fulfil traditional marriage requirements, pay the bride price, conduct a court wedding and hold a modest celebration with close family and friends.

She argued that couples should prioritise their relationship and future together rather than feel compelled to organise expensive ceremonies to satisfy societal expectations.

Kadiri also observed that some couples only begin to fully appreciate the reality of marriage months after their wedding celebrations have ended.

Reflecting on her own experience, she said she believed avoiding excessive wedding pressure had contributed to her successful marriage, which she said had lasted about seven years.

She added that she had seen couples separate only two months after getting married, warning young people against allowing societal expectations to dictate their decisions.

The actress further criticised the pressure Nigerian society places on couples to organise engagement ceremonies, traditional weddings, white weddings and court weddings, noting that some people wrongly believe their marriages will fail if they do not complete every stage.

Kadiri also raised concerns about the potential risks of inviting people into private family affairs, cautioning couples against exposing themselves to unnecessary scrutiny.

Beyond marriage, she urged the younger generation to challenge other societal expectations, particularly the pressure parents place on their children to succeed financially and bring money home.

She maintained that young Nigerians need to rethink these expectations and make choices that prioritise their emotional well-being and long-term happiness.

Continue Reading

Trending