Sinner dismantles Djokovic record in Rome as Italian Open campaign intensifies
The 24-year-old’s dominant performance against Andrey Rublev places him on the brink of a historic sixth straight title and joins Rafael Nadal in elite company.
Jannik Sinner has surpassed Novak Djokovic’s long-standing record for successive victories at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, securing his 32nd straight win with a decisive 6-2, 6-4 victory over 12th seed Andrey Rublev. The result propels the Italian world number one into the semi-finals of the Italian Open in Rome, extending a run that has seen him dominate the sport’s highest tier of competition below the Grand Slams.
The 24-year-old’s current form has drawn immediate comparisons to tennis’s most decorated figures. Sinner has joined Rafael Nadal as the only men in history to reach the semi-finals at each of the first five Masters 1000 events within a single season. His statistical dominance is further underscored by his status as the first player to win five consecutive Masters 1000 titles, a feat achieved through victories at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Paris.
Sinner’s overall record at the ATP 1000 level now stands at 121 wins from 150 matches, a figure only eclipsed by Nadal, who holds 123 wins since the format’s introduction in 1990. During his current record-breaking streak, Sinner has won 64 of the 66 sets contested, demonstrating a level of consistency that has left him just one match away from attempting a sixth consecutive title.
Despite the magnitude of the achievement, Sinner maintained a focus on immediate physical and emotional recovery. Speaking to the crowd in Rome, he noted the toll of performing in front of his home nation, stating that his priority was to recover physically for the next day’s night match. He acknowledged the significance of the milestone while emphasising that he plays for his own narrative rather than for statistics.
The Italian Open final will determine whether Sinner becomes the first Italian men’s singles champion in Rome since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago. He is set to face either Daniil Medvedev or lucky loser Martin Landaluce. With the French Open beginning on 24 May, Sinner remains on track to challenge for a career Grand Slam, having lost only two of his past 47 matches across all tournaments since his last defeat in Shanghai.
