Jannik Sinner dominated this vital space towards Novak Djokovic in Shanghai… | ATP Tour

Mind Recreation

Sinner dominated this vital space towards Djokovic in Shanghai…

Mind Recreation analyses the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 ultimate

October 13, 2024

The beginning of the purpose was not the issue for Novak Djokovic. It was the top.

Jannik Sinner defeated Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-3 within the ultimate of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Sunday by profitable simply 5 extra factors (65-60) general than the Serbian. In a match that showcased parity all around the stats sheet, the Italian dominated one vital space — the power to complete factors off with winners.

Winners: Sinner
– Aces = 9
– Forehand = 6
– Backhand = 4
– Volleys = 4
– Complete = 23

Winners: Djokovic
– Aces = 4
– Forehand = 4
– Backhand = 1
– Volleys = 3
– Complete = 12

Your 2024 Males’s Singles Champion in Shanghai 🏆@janniksin | @SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/hASdvUH1GS

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 13, 2024

Sinner clubbed 23 winners to Djokovic’s 12. There was no different match stat the place such a niche between the 2 gamers existed. Each dedicated 23 unforced errors for the match. Each put 82 per cent of their backhands in play. Djokovic really put barely extra forehands within the courtroom (86% to 84%) and hit them more durable (81 mph to 79 mph) on common all through the ultimate.

However when it got here time to complete off the great work constructing the purpose, it was Sinner who proved to be twice pretty much as good as Djokovic. When isolating baseline factors, Sinner collected 10 winners to simply 5 for Djokovic. The Serbian gained the battle of longer rallies of 9 pictures or longer by eight factors to 6. It proved inconsequential to the ultimate end result in Shanghai. When Sinner wanted to finish the purpose, his motion, shot choice and courtroom place proved superior to the previous No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings.

 

One micro-battle that highlighted the strategic benefit Sinner loved within the match will be seen with the primary shot hit after the serve, generally generally known as Serve +1.

Complete Serve +1 Forehands
– Sinner = 62% (28/45)
– Djokovic = 42% (15/36)

Sinner Serve +1 Groundstrokes Received
– Forehand = 61% (17/28)
– Backhand = 53% (9/17)

Djokovic Serve +1 Groundstrokes Received
– Forehand = 53% (8/15)
– Backhand = 52% (11/21)

Sinner dominated with Serve +1 forehands on this match, hitting this shot 62 per cent of the time. Djokovic struggled mightily to seek out his Serve +1 forehand, solely hitting it 42 per cent of the time. Sinner gained 61 per cent of his Serve +1 forehand factors, whereas Djokovic was solely at 53 per cent. This had a unfavorable flow-on impact for the remainder of the purpose for the Serbian. Too many Serve +1 backhands equals an excessive amount of baseline parity in Djokovic’s service video games. That makes it more and more tougher for the Serbian to fabricate winners on the finish of the purpose.

Djokovic additionally turned his consideration to the entrance of the courtroom to use stress to Sinner, however this turned out to be one of many uncommon matches during which Djokovic was not capable of construct a profitable margin on the web. He solely gained 45% (5/11) factors coming ahead, whereas Sinner collected a tidy 5 of six factors gained.

It’s nearly 12 months since Djokovic gained his final ATP Tour title on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin final November. At 37 years of age, the current Paris Olympics gold medalist Djokovic is quick approaching the twilight of his profession. This match identifies the place his youthful opponents will forge a bonus towards him.

It’s not in constructing the purpose. It’s in ending it.