Jannik Sinner Reaches Italian Open Semi-finals, Sets New Masters 1000 Record

Jannik Sinner reached the semi-finals of the Italian Open on Thursday after defeating Andrey Rublev and setting a new record of consecutive wins in Masters 1000 tournaments. Sinner, the world No 1, beat Rublev 6-2, 6-4, moving to 32 straight wins in ATP’s top-ranked events, surpassing Novak Djokovic’s 2011 record. "I don’t play for records, I play for my own story," Sinner said. "Tomorrow is another day, another opponent." Rublev, Sinner’s first seeded opponent in Rome, struggled, dropping serve in the first game of both sets and committing 28 unforced errors. Sinner will face either Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 title winner, or lucky loser Martin Landaluce in the semi-finals. With Carlos Alcaraz injured, Sinner is favored to become the first Italian to win the Rome title in 50 years, ahead of the French Open where a career Grand Slam is possible. The last Italian man to win in Rome was Adriano Panatta in 1976. Jasmine Paolini won the women’s title last year, the first Italian woman in 40 years.