SHANGHAI (AP) — Novak Djokovic overcame his physical ailments to beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6 (6) and move closer to his 100th career title and a record-tying fifth title at the Shanghai Masters on Saturday.

By reaching the final, the front runner Jannik Sinner ensured that he would be number 1 in the ATP at the end of the year and the first Italian to achieve this feat.

“(I have) won a lot of titles, had great fights and great performances,” said the 37-year-old Djokovic. “I definitely came here with the vision and desire to get to the final and fight for the 100th title. I get this chance against the best player in the world and let’s see what happens.”

His great comrade Roger Federer has 103 titles and Jimmy Connors leads the men’s category with 109 in the Open era.

Top ranked Jannik Sinner will be aiming for his seventh ATP title of the year after defeating Tomas Machac 6-4, 7-5.

Djokovic improved to 10-0 in his career games against Fritz, who squandered a 5-3 lead in the second set tiebreaker and took a set point lead at 6-5.

Djokovic clearly had problems with mobility and balance as his left knee was badly strapped.

“Such fights always challenge me, especially towards the end of the tournament,” said Djokovic. “At this stage of my career I am doing my best to recover and I have had some physical problems here and there on the pitch.”

But US Open runner-up Fritz was unable to capitalize on this advantage.

He lost a long rally 6-6 and lost on the first match point when Djokovic fired a volley into the net and the American shot it just over the distance with full power.

Djokovic leads 4-3 overall against Sinner, who has won the last two – also in the Australian Open semi-finals.

Previously, Sinner survived a nearly two-hour baseline storm from 33rd-ranked Machac, who defeated 2nd-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

The Italian has a shot at his third Masters title in 2024 after wins in Miami and Cincinnati, as well as his victories at the Masters Australian Open And US Open.

“I just tried to stay there to see what would happen,” Sinner said. “I just played every point with the greatest intensity possible, so I’m very happy about that. I’m happy to be in a final again.

“I’m just looking forward to (the final), trying to find a solution somehow… and hopefully win the game.”

Sinner fired 10 aces and 28 winners with just seven unforced errors in a characteristically efficient performance for his 64th match win of the year.

Wuhan open

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a slow start to beat the in-form Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals. She reached her third consecutive Wuhan final and defended her perfect record at the tournament.

Sabalenka will face the seventh-place team Zheng Qinwen in the final. The Paris Olympic champion defeated number 51 Wang Xinyu 6:3, 6:4. Sabalenka will be fighting for her fourth title of the season, which also includes the Australian Open and US Open.

The Belarusian’s 16th victory in Wuhan ended Gauff’s recent winning streak of nine wins, including the China Open Title last week. But things looked anything but safe for Sabalenka as she fell 6-1 in the opening set.

“She just gave everything in the first set,” said Sabalenka. “Whatever she did, everything flew in. Everything was so aggressive. I didn’t have many options.”

In a battle between the last two US Open champions, Gauff led with a break early in the second round, but Sabalenka responded with a move to make it 4-4 and saved a break point on serve to take a 5-4 lead.

Gauff tried to stay in the set but was broken when Sabalenka forced a decider with a forehand volley.

The Belarusian continued her momentum into the third round, extending her winning streak to seven games with a 3-0 lead. Gauff fought back to make it 4-4, but Sabalenka held strong and stopped Gauff’s run.

Sabalenka broke again after Gauff committed her worst 21st double fault of the season on match point, ending the two-and-a-half-hour game.

“I know what she’s going through. This is really difficult,” said Sabalenka, who has had problems with her serve in the past. “But I know that she will be one of the greatest players if she can master this serving situation.”

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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis