Jannik Sinner added his seventh title of a remarkable year with his victory over Novak Djokovic in the final of the Shanghai Masters.

Sinner, who is already assured of finishing the season as world number one, was simply too strong for Djokovic, winning four in his last five matches against the Serb with a 7-6(4) 6-3 triumph.

That deprived Djokovic of a 100th career title, although this week was another reminder that the 37-year-old remains a determining factor at the top of the game.

There was very little to choose between them in the first set, with Sinner recovering from 0-30 down at 4-5 then getting the better start in the tie-break.

A missed backhand volley from Djokovic proved costly, and the relentless pressure from the other side showed in the fourth game of the second set, when Sinner hit a forehand winner to earn the only break of the match.

Jannik Sinner claimed victory against Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters final

Sinner’s victory means he has now won four of his last five clashes against Djokovic

Djokovic missed out on a 100th career title but the 37-year-old still showed encouraging signs

Sinner remains at risk of being banned from tennis after testing positive for Closetbol twice in March.

Sinner was provisionally suspended but was cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal.

The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision and requested that Sinner be suspended for one or two years.

Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz were among those watching from the stands as the Italian, who did not face a break point all match, clinched victory with an ace.

“It was obviously a very tough match,” Sinner said. “Playing against Novak is one of the toughest challenges we have to face and I am obviously very, very happy with the way I handled the situation.

“He was serving really well in the first set, I really couldn’t find a way to break him. I played a really good break in the first set, which gave me the confidence to start the game well. second set and obviously very happy with the performance throughout this tournament. It’s obviously a very special event.

Djokovic was trying to win a fifth title in Shanghai and said: “It was a pleasure to be here in Shanghai again.

“I’ve had a lot of success on Chinese soil during my career and I haven’t played in China for five years, so I missed it and I’m really happy I came this year.

Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz were present at the final

Djokovic admitted Sinner was ‘too strong’ and ‘too fast’ for him in final

“I think I played some really good tennis. Congratulations to Jannik, he was too good today, too strong, too fast. Congratulations on an incredible year, you deserve this.

Speaking to Federer, Djokovic added: “It’s nice to see Roger. I’m not used to seeing you in the stands, I wish you were on the court playing with us.

“It’s probably my first time playing in front of you so I had extra pressure today but it’s great, thanks for being here, and Carlos too.”