Sinner Matches Djokovic’s Masters Winning Streak
Hope
World Number 1 Jannik Sinner equalled Novak Djokovic for the longest winning streak in ATP Masters 1000 history after securing his 31st consecutive victory on Tuesday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome.
Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over Italian qualifier Andrea Pellegrino in front of the home crowd.
The Italian star is chasing more history in Rome as he attempts to become only the second player after Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters by winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
Sinner has been in dominant form over the past several months. Last week in Madrid, he reportedly became the first player to win five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles following previous triumphs in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.
The 24-year-old has not lost a completed match at Masters 1000 level since October, when he retired injured during his clash against Tallon Griekspoor in Shanghai.
Last year’s Rome finalist is also aiming to become the first Italian men’s singles champion at the tournament since Adriano Panatta won the title in 1976.
Sinner controlled the match from the start against Pellegrino, mixing powerful baseline play with effective drop shots to break his opponent’s serve four times in their first ATP meeting. The victory, completed in one hour and 30 minutes, also extended Sinner’s unbeaten record against fellow Italians to 19-0.
Pellegrino, who was competing in the main draw of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time, impressed during his run in Rome, including a win over Frances Tiafoe in the previous round.
Sinner will next face either Andrey Rublev or Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in the semi-finals.
