Jannik Sinner Breaks Djokovic Record to Reach Rome Semi-Finals

Jannik Sinner has rewritten the history books at the Italian Open, surpassing Novak Djokovic’s all-time record for consecutive ATP Masters 1000 match wins after extending his streak to 32 victories and booking his place in the semi-finals.

The world number one overpowered 12th seed Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in Rome, underlining his dominance on home soil and continuing a remarkable run that has placed him alongside the sport’s greats.

Sinner, 24, is now within two wins of becoming the first Italian men’s singles champion in Rome since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago, with his form arriving at a pivotal moment ahead of the French Open later this month and Wimbledon in six weeks’ time.

Sinner’s historic Masters 1000 dominance

The Italian has been in near flawless form across the ATP Masters 1000 circuit, joining Rafael Nadal as the only player to reach the semi-finals at each of the first five events in a single season.

His current streak includes titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo and Madrid, following his victory in Paris late last year. Since his last Masters 1000 defeat in Shanghai, where he retired injured, he has won 45 of his last 47 matches.

Sinner has also won 64 of the 66 sets played during this stretch, highlighting the consistency of his surge towards a potential career-defining season.

“I don’t play for records. I play just for my own story,” Sinner said after his win. “At the same time, it means a lot to me.”

“The highest priority for me is trying to recover as much as I can physically. Emotionally it takes a lot playing here at home.”

He will next face Daniil Medvedev for a place in the final after the Russian seventh seed battled through a difficult contest against Spanish lucky loser Martin Landaluce, coming from a set down to win 1-6 6-4 7-5.

Medvedev sets up Sinner semi-final clash

Daniil Medvedev endured an early scare as he lost the opening five games of his quarter-final before recovering to reach his first semi-final of the clay-court swing.

The Russian will now meet Sinner in a high-profile semi-final clash, with both players arriving in strong form as the tournament reaches its decisive stages.

Gauff reaches final as Cirstea run ends

In the women’s draw, third seed Coco Gauff advanced to the final after defeating Sorana Cirstea 6-4 6-3, ending the Romanian’s impressive run in Rome.

Cirstea, 36, who is set to retire at the end of the season, had won 10 of her previous 12 matches on clay but could not match Gauff’s consistency in the key moments.

Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, recovered from an early break down in the opening set and took control by winning four consecutive games to turn the set around before dominating the second.

She will now bid for her first title since last October as she returns to the Rome final for a second straight year.

Svitolina shocks Swiatek to set up final showdown

Gauff will face Elina Svitolina, who produced one of the standout results of the tournament by defeating four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-4 2-6 6-2.

Svitolina recovered from a second-set dip to close out a composed three-set victory, saving multiple break points and breaking Swiatek six times in a dramatic contest.

The Ukrainian will now return to a Rome final eight years after her previous triumph at the tournament, setting up a compelling clash with Gauff for the title.