Sinner reaches Shanghai final, will end year number one

Shanghai: Jannik Sinner beat Tomas Machac 6 4, 7 5 to reach the Shanghai Masters final on Saturday and ensure he finishes the year as world number one...

Shanghai: Jannik Sinner beat Tomas Machac 6-4, 7-5 to reach the Shanghai Masters final on Saturday and ensure he finishes the year as world number one.

Sinner will face either Novak Djokovic -- a four-time Shanghai champion -- or world number seven Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday.

The 23-year-old has been in top spot since June and after his ruthless semi-final victory will stay there until at least the end of the season, the first Italian to do so.

"It was only a dream just to become number one... Now finishing (the year there) is also a different feeling," the Italian said.

"It's a good feeling. I'm very happy to achieve this. It was an amazing season for me and it's not finished yet," he said, adding that for now he was "focused on tomorrow".