Sinner will face either Novak Djokovic — a four-time Shanghai champion — or world No 7 Taylor Fritz in the final.

The 33rd-ranked Machac was looking to repeat his giant-slaying of Thursday, when he knocked out world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets.

The semifinal got off to an electric start when the Czech broke Sinner in the first game.

But the two-time Grand Slam champion kept his cool to break back in the fourth, then claimed the tenth game to clinch the set.

In the second set neither was able to break serve until the 12th game, when the Italian hit a winner to book his place in Sunday’s final.

“It was very tough… he is playing with so much confidence and he can hit a ball really hard, and is serving very well,” said Sinner.

“I tried to stay there mentally… I’m very happy about how I’m fighting at the moment.”