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Italian Open: Jannik Sinner breaks Novak Djokovic's record with 32nd straight Masters win to reach Rome semi-finals

Jannik Sinner has advanced to the Italian Open semi-finals, beating Andrey Rublev to win his 32nd match in a row at Masters 1000 level; watch Sinner take on Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals on Friday evening, live on Sky Sports Tennis

Noah Langford

Sports Journalist

Friday 15 May 2026 07:54, UK

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Highlights of Jannik Sinner against Andrey Rublev in the Italian Open

World No 1 Jannik Sinner has broken Novak Djokovic's record by winning his 32nd straight match at ATP Masters 1000 level, beating Andrey Rublev to advance to the Italian Open semi-finals.

Sinner landed shots on the lines repeatedly in a 6-2 6-4 triumph, putting him in prime position to become the first Italian man to win his home tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

He lost last year's final in Rome to Carlos Alcaraz, who is sidelined due to a right wrist injury, while Jasmine Paolini in 2025 became the first Italian woman to raise the trophy in 40 years.

"I don't play for records. I play just for my own story. And obviously at the same time it means a lot to me," said Sinner, who has not been beaten at an ATP Masters event since October 2024.

Sinner broke serve in the opening game for a third straight match and never lost control against Rublev, who was once ranked as high as No 5. His win streak extends to almost four months, with his last loss coming against Jakub Mensik on February 19 at the Qatar Open.

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Tim Henman says Jannik Sinner breaking Novak Djokovic's record with 32nd straight Masters wins is a 'phenomenal achievement'

Sinner will next face Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals on Friday, live on Sky Sports Tennis, after the Russian came back to beat Spanish qualifier 1-6 6-4 7-5.

The Italian Open is the only Masters event that Sinner hasn't won, while Djokovic has won each ATP Masters 1000 event twice over.

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Henman: Sinner's streak is 'absolutely phenomenal'

Sky Sports Tennis' Tim Henman

“It's absolutely phenomenal that he's on this win streak in the Masters 1000 events. The Masters 1000s are the top players all competing against each other, there are absolutely no easy matches.

“When you take into context, just the challenge of not having a bad day at the office not having, any injuries or complications over a long period of time, because it started at the end of last year when we were at the Paris Masters in October before the ATP finals in Turin, which he also won.

“Then moving into this year to go back to back in Indian Wells and Miami, he's then had to change surfaces onto clay, and he's just played continuously, absolutely brilliant tennis. It's a phenomenal achievement. “When you're breaking records that have been set by Novak Djokovic, then you know you're doing something right.”

Gauff to face Svitolina in women's final

In the women's tournament, Coco Gauff beat 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea 6-4 6-3 to reach the final for a second straight year.

Gauff saved a match point in a three-set victory over Iva Jovic in the fourth round and then came back from a set down to defeat Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals. But against Cirstea, Gauff got 78 per cent of her first serves in and had only one double fault.

"I'm just happy to be through in straight sets today. It's been a marathon week," she said.

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Highlights of Sorana Cirstea against Coco Gauff in the Italian Open

Gauff will face Elina Svitolina in Saturday's final after the Ukranian stunned three-time Italian Open champion Iga Swiatek with a gusty 6-4 2-6 6-2 victory.

Svitolina played aggressively by winning the first set but Swiatek came fighting back and had momentum on her side going into the deciding set.

But, Svitolina won a long opening game to hold serve then upped her risk-taking again to see off the world No 3, just 24 hours after beating world No 2 Elena Rybakina.

"It's amazing. The feeling is unreal to be here in the final after so many years," said Svitolina.

"I've played Coco many times and we both know we will bring the fight. But I want to enjoy this win, then be ready for the final."

Watch the Italian Open in Rome until this Sunday, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app.

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