Sinner beats Machac in dramatic semi-finals

SHANGHAI: Jannik Sinner beat Tomas Machac in straight sets on Saturday to qualify for the Shanghai Masters finals, in what was a dramatic back-and-forth affair that showcased both players’ tennis pedigree.

FIRST SET

Machac seemed to be on his way to another upset after getting a break in the very first game of the match. Some incredible returns from the Czech player forced the world number one to make a few errors, launching the ball out of bounds a couple times, as well as once into the net, eventually losing his service game.

Machac would win his own service game to take a two-game lead. He would end it with a serve that Sinner couldn’t return in bounds, reminding the fans that they could be witnessing yet another upset at the hands of the Czech player, after he took out Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

However, things wouldn’t be so easy for Machac, Sinner would win his own service game in dominant fashion, closing out the game in four straight points. Machac wasn’t able to return a single one of Sinner’s crushing serves.

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With momentum on his side, Sinner would turn up the pressure, winning three straight points in the next game to take a 40 to love lead. He had three break points, two of which Machac defended against. But Sinner would prevail on the last one with a pair of backhands. The first would send Sinner to the edge of the court, before the second sent the ball right down the opposite side line.

The point of the match would come in the seventh game, as a dramatic rally culminated in Sinner sending a lob over Machac, which he successfully chased down and returned. However, the world number one would be ready, firing a powerful backhand across the court that Machac had no hope of reaching.

Sinner would get another break in the tenth game to close out the set, after a volley from Machac went beyond the baseline.

SECOND SET

Machac would make things difficult for the Italian right off the bat, forcing a deuce in the first game. Sinner would take the advantage with an ace, and win the game with another serve that Machac failed to return.   

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The two would continue to win their own service games, neither playing giving up an inch. Machac would try to impose his will in the ninth, forcing a deuce after a frustrated Sinner committed a double fault. Machac would gain the advantage after a furious backhand sent the ball past the world number one. Eventually, Sinner would be the one to prevail, after Machac’s forehand sent the ball into the net, continuing the deadlock.

Sinner would turn up the heat in the next game, winning in four straight points once again. When the Italian wasn’t rocketing the ball past the Czech player, Machac would be struggling to keep it in bounds.

The world number one would end things in the twelfth and final game, in emphatic fashion. Leading 40 to 30, Machac would find the ball hurtling towards him, courtesy of a vicious forehand from Sinner. The Czech player would manage to get his racket to the ball, launching it high into the air. Unfortunately for Machac, Sinner would be positioned perfectly at the net, delivering a beautiful slam to end the affair.

Sinner will face either Novak Djokovic or Taylor Fritz in the finals of the Shanghai Masters on October 13.

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