Novak Djokovic surpasses Rafael Nadal's winning percentage at ATP Masters 1000 events

Novak Djokovic finished as runners-up at the ATP Shanghai Masters.

Novak Djokovic made it all the way to the finals in a tournament he won four times—the most wins at the venue by any player. However, he faced defeat against Jannik Sinner at the ATP Shanghai Masters 2024, with the Italian winning 7-6(4), 6-3 in what was only their second Masters level meeting after the 2021 Monte-Carlo face-off. Courtesy the runner-up finish, Djokovic remains on 99 tour-level titles following his loss to Sinner.

However, despite the heartbreak, the 37-year-old still left Shanghai with something to cheer about. Djokovic has now overtaken Rafael Nadal (82.00%, 410-90) for the highest winning percentage at ATP Masters 1000 events since the format’s inception in 1990 (minimum 10 matches).

The 24-time Grand Slam champion achieved the record following his third-round victory over Italian Flavio Cobolli. It took Djokovic just 63 minutes to overpower the 22-year-old 6-1, 6-2 and advance to the fourth round of the ATP Shanghai Masters 2024. He powered through, hitting 19 winners besides converting 4/9 breakpoints during his third-round face-off with the Italian.

A first-round bye gave him a pass into the second round against Alex Michelsen. The Serb was tested by Michelsen, having to dig deep for the two-set win – 7-6(3), 7-6(9) in just under two hours.

In what was his first appearance in Shanghai since 2019, the Serb took out Roman Saifullin (6-3, 6-2), Jakub Mensik (6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4) and Taylor Fritz (6-4, 7-6(6)) to reach the championship round. In the last four, Djokovic maintained his mastery over Fritz, extending his head-to-head lead to 10-0 over the American.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic meets ‘Little Titan’ Carlos Alcaraz during ATP Shanghai Masters 2024 (watch video)

While the past weekend witnessed Jannik Sinner lifting the trophy at the eighth ATP Masters 1000 event of the season, there is no let-up in the battle to qualify for the ATP Finals. Djokovic, the seven-time champion at Turin, moved up three spots ahead of Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev on reaching the title round at Shanghai.

Five of the eight qualifying spots are still up for grabs, with Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev clinching the first three places. Ahead of Djokovic on 3910 points are fourth place Daniil Medvedev (4820 points) and Taylor Fritz (4290 points) up next in fifth position. 

The 37-year-old Djokovic played a flawless tournament at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena to make his fifth final for the loss of only one set. A 100th tour-level title was within arm’s reach and would have been possible if not for the presence of Jannik Sinner across the net.

The Italian cruised to his seventh ATP Title and third Masters win of the season to become the youngest winner at the event. For Djokovic, it will be the first time since 2017 that the star has ended the season without a Grand Slam or a Masters title to his name.

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