Jannik Sinner wins record 32nd consecutive ATP Masters 1000 match to reach Rome semi-finals

Dressed head to toe in a sleek all-black kit, Jannik Sinner was ruthless in Rome.

The world No. 1 set a new tennis record on Thursday (14 May) as he became the first man to win 32 consecutive singles matches at ATP Masters 1000 level, the tier below the Grand Slams.

Sinner sealed a 6-2, 6-4 demolition of Andrey Rublev in the 2026 Italian Open quarter-finals, while also besting Novak Djokovic’s run of 31 straight wins from 2011.

The home favourite marches into the final four for the second consecutive year, where he awaits either Spanish youngster Martín Landaluce or former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.

"I'm happy, but you know I don't play for records," Sinner said according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, "I play to write my own history and I always try to do my best. I'm feeling a bit tired, I'm trying to recover as best I can for tomorrow, but I didn't play at my highest level.”

Top seed, top-ranked player and now a new record holder, the Italian is closing in on a record-extending sixth straight Masters 1000 trophy, and on home clay no less.

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Calling it a commanding victory against Olympic doubles gold medallist Rublev barely does justice to the sheer dominance of Sinner on the tennis court. It took just an hour and 32 minutes for the No. 1 to soar through to the final four in Rome.

Sinner’s 27th straight win extends his season record to 34-2: only Djokovic and Jakub Menšík have bested the 24-year-old, both going the distance to defeat him.

On Thursday, Rublev’s return of break at 6-2, 4-2 down was the highlight of an afternoon where he could not find any rhythm amidst the Foro Italico’s baptism of fire. All 19 of Sinner’s winners were met with a chorus of roars from the Campo Centrale, a court where he played with ideal conditions and the most partisan crowd possible.

Per Opta, the world No. 1 has now won 81 per cent of his career Masters 1000 matches: only Rafael Nadal has more wins (123 to 121) in his first 150 outings at this level. This is a level of nearly unparalleled dominance being served by the Italian.

The only curse of Sinner’s success is a packed schedule – those 27 victories have come in the span of 68 days, or one every 2.5 days. The men’s singles semi-finals are up next on Friday (15 May).

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