Jannik Sinner moved one step closer to making history at the Italian Open after defeating Andrey Rublev in straight sets to reach the semifinals in Rome, extending his remarkable dominance at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments and strengthening his status as the leading contender for the French Open title later this month.
The world number one produced another composed and clinical performance on the red clay of Foro Italico, overcoming Rublev 6-2, 6-4 in front of a passionate home crowd on Thursday. The victory not only secured Sinner a place in the last four of the tournament, but also marked his 32nd consecutive win in Masters 1000 events, surpassing Novak Djokovic’s previous record.
For Italian tennis fans, the significance of the moment goes far beyond statistics. Sinner is now only two victories away from becoming the first Italian man in 50 years to win the Italian Open singles title, a feat last achieved by Adriano Panatta in 1976.
The atmosphere inside Campo Centrale reflected the growing belief that Sinner could finally end Italy’s decades-long wait for a men’s champion in Rome. Thousands of spectators dressed in orange — Sinner’s signature color — filled the stands, while banners and chants celebrated the country’s brightest tennis star.
One sign held aloft by supporters read: “Sinner, Facce Sogna,” roughly translating to “Sinner, Make us dream.”
The 24-year-old has increasingly become the face of Italian tennis, and his performances over the past year have elevated expectations to unprecedented levels. Calm, disciplined, and relentlessly consistent, Sinner has developed into one of the most complete players on tour.
Against Rublev, he once again demonstrated why he currently sits atop the ATP rankings.
From the opening game, Sinner seized control. For the third consecutive match in Rome, he broke serve immediately, setting the tone with aggressive baseline play and precise shot-making. Rublev, known for his explosive power and intensity, struggled to impose himself as Sinner repeatedly found the lines with clean groundstrokes from both wings.
The Italian dictated rallies with remarkable composure, forcing Rublev into uncomfortable defensive positions and limiting opportunities for the Russian to attack.
Sinner wrapped up the opening set 6-2 with minimal resistance, displaying the kind of dominance that has become increasingly familiar during his extraordinary run in Masters-level competition.
The second set proved more competitive, though Sinner remained largely in control. Windy conditions occasionally disrupted rhythm for both players, leading to several longer rallies and moments of inconsistency.
Rublev managed to break Sinner late in the set, briefly threatening a comeback. Yet the Italian immediately regained momentum, responding with the poise and maturity that have become hallmarks of his game.
“It was a bit breezy, a bit windy, so it was very tough conditions,” Sinner said after the match.
“I felt we both didn’t play at our best today.”
Despite those challenges, Sinner still closed out the match in straight sets, extending his remarkable winning streak and maintaining his momentum heading into the decisive stages of the tournament.
The result further underlined Sinner’s growing dominance in Masters 1000 events, the most prestigious tournaments outside the four Grand Slams.
His current streak of 32 consecutive victories at Masters level now stands as a new benchmark in men’s tennis, surpassing the previous record set by Novak Djokovic during the Serbian’s extraordinary 2011 season.
Sinner, however, appeared reluctant to focus on records.
“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,” he said.
That understated mentality has become central to Sinner’s rise. While many players openly discuss rankings, milestones, and historical comparisons, the Italian consistently emphasizes process and improvement over statistics.
Yet the numbers surrounding him are becoming impossible to ignore.
Including all tournaments, Sinner has now won 27 consecutive matches. His last defeat came in February, when Czech player Jakub Mensik beat him in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.
Since then, Sinner has been nearly untouchable.
Even more impressively, he has not dropped a single set since the opening match of his previous tournament in Madrid, highlighting the level of consistency he has maintained across different surfaces and conditions.
His performances have inevitably fueled speculation about his chances at Roland Garros, which begins in less than two weeks.
Traditionally, clay has not been viewed as Sinner’s strongest surface compared to hard courts. However, his movement, physical endurance, and tactical maturity on clay have improved dramatically over the past two seasons.
Many analysts now regard him as one of the favorites for the French Open title, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding several key rivals.
Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in last year’s Italian Open final, is currently sidelined with a wrist injury. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, has shown signs of physical vulnerability in recent tournaments, including an early exit in Rome.
That changing landscape has opened the door for Sinner to establish himself as the dominant force in men’s tennis.
The Italian is also chasing another significant achievement. He is attempting to become only the second player after Djokovic to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
Rome remains the only Masters event missing from Sinner’s collection, adding further motivation as he pursues the title in front of home fans.
The emotional significance of the tournament has been clear throughout the week.
“This is a special tournament for me,” Sinner said.
The importance of the occasion has also attracted national attention beyond tennis. Italian President Sergio Mattarella is expected to attend Sunday’s final, while Adriano Panatta — the last Italian man to win the tournament — is scheduled to present the trophy.
For many in Italy, Sinner’s success represents more than individual achievement. It symbolizes a broader transformation in Italian tennis, which has experienced a surge in talent and popularity in recent years.
Italy has already celebrated success in women’s tennis, with Jasmine Paolini becoming the first Italian woman in four decades to win the Rome title in 2025.
Now the focus has shifted firmly toward Sinner and the possibility of ending the country’s long wait for a men’s singles champion.
His rise has also inspired unprecedented enthusiasm among younger fans. Across Italy, tennis participation has increased significantly, with Sinner becoming a national sporting icon alongside football stars and Olympic athletes.
His calm personality and disciplined work ethic have resonated strongly with supporters, many of whom see him as a refreshing figure in modern sport.
On the court, Sinner’s evolution has been equally impressive.
Once considered primarily a powerful baseline hitter, he has developed into a far more versatile player. His defensive skills, tactical awareness, and ability to adapt during matches have all improved substantially.
Against Rublev, those qualities were on full display.
Whenever the Russian attempted to increase aggression, Sinner responded intelligently, changing pace and direction while maintaining exceptional consistency from the baseline.
His physical conditioning has also become one of his greatest strengths. Long rallies and demanding matches no longer appear to trouble him, even on clay — a surface that often tests endurance more severely than others.
That stamina could prove critical in the later rounds of the tournament and at Roland Garros.
Sinner’s semifinal opponent will be either Daniil Medvedev or Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce, who were scheduled to play later on Thursday.
Regardless of the opponent, Sinner will enter the match as the clear favorite based on current form.
The broader ATP Tour landscape also appears to be shifting increasingly in his favor.
Djokovic remains dangerous, while Alcaraz continues to recover from injury concerns. Other contenders have struggled with consistency, allowing Sinner to establish a level of dominance rarely seen in recent years.
His current streak in Masters events has already placed him alongside some of the sport’s greatest names.
Yet Sinner continues to avoid grand declarations or predictions.
Instead, he remains focused on the immediate challenge ahead: winning the Italian Open and delivering a historic triumph for home supporters in Rome.
If he succeeds, it would represent one of the defining moments in modern Italian tennis history.
For now, however, the dream remains alive — and with every victory, it looks increasingly realistic.
