Novak Djokovic is ready to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam stage when he returns to action at the Australian Open after an underwhelming campaign this year, the 24-times champion said.
The world number one eased to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 triumph against Tallon Griekspoor for the winning point after Matteo Berrettini had put the defending champions ahead with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win against Botic van de Zandschulp.
World number one Jannik Sinner was described as a "puzzle that not many have solved" after defeating Alex de Minaur to power holders Italy into the Davis Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Australia on Saturday.
Sinner has so far managed fears that a ban might bring his career to a shuddering halt.
Sinner, who lost last year's final to Novak Djokovic, did not put a foot wrong this time round as he finished undefeated and without dropping a set to earn $4,881,500 in prize money.
Sinner barely gave Ruud time to breathe as he rattled off the first three games and took the first set in half an hour, before sweeping to a comprehensive victory.
Sinner was in no mood to disappoint his passionate home supporters and put in the latest in an increasingly long line of impressive performances to head into the semis with a perfect three wins from three.
Novak Djokovic insisted Sunday that he plans "to compete and play next season" despite suffering another loss at the hands of world number one Jannik Sinner.
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.
Sinner now has to turn his attention to the Shanghai Masters, where he could end up facing Alcaraz again.
The four-time Grand Slam champion from Spain edged a captivating final 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) for his fourth ATP crown of the year and 16th overall.
Jannik Sinner ignored the bubbling controversy over his steroid case and a roaring home crowd to set up a China Open final against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had cleared the Italian of wrongdoing in August, and weeks later he won the US Open for his second major title.
Sinner had explained that the slight traces of clostebol had originated from a spray used by a member of his staff to treat a cut finger.
With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal struggling to get back on court due to injuries, Novak Djokovic was the last man of that golden generation standing at Flushing Meadows, but the Serb crashed out in the third round to Australian Alexei Popyrin.
Jannik Sinner produced a brutal display of baseline power as he became the first Italian man to win the US. Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over American Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday.
Jannik Sinner won his second Grand Slam title of 2024 on Sunday when he swept aside Taylor Fritz in the US Open final, shattering American hopes of a first male champion at the majors in 21 years.
Italian top seed Jannik Sinner took down ailing Briton Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 to reach the US Open final on Friday, overcoming muggy conditions in a chaotic match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Medvedev still leads their head-to-head 7-6, although the Italian Sinner has won six of their last seven meetings.
