Sinner equals Djokovic's Masters streak, breaches Italian Open QF
Synopsis
Sinner matched Djokovic's 31-win Masters streak with a clinical dismantling of Pellegrino in Rome. One more victory breaks the record outright; a Golden Masters title would place him among tennis immortals. The Italian is rewriting the sport's record books in real time.
Key Takeaways
Jannik Sinner defeated Andrea Pellegrino 6-2, 6-3 on 12 May to advance to the Italian Open quarter-finals.
The victory marked Sinner's 31st consecutive ATP Masters 1000 win , equalling Novak Djokovic's all-time record.
Sinner has won five consecutive Masters 1000 titles (Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid) and holds eight of nine Career Golden Masters titles.
1 is unbeaten against Italian opponents at 19-0 on tour.
Sinner will face Rublev or Basilashvili in the quarter-finals; a win breaks Djokovic's record.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner on 12 May moved level with Novak Djokovic for the longest ATP Masters 1000 winning streak in history, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open in Rome with a straight-sets victory over fellow Italian Andrea Pellegrino. Backed by a packed Campo Centrale crowd, Sinner sealed a 6-2, 6-3 win in 1 hour 28 minutes, registering his 31st consecutive Masters 1000 victory and matching Djokovic's record.
The streak and what's next
Sinner's remarkable run began late last season and has included title-winning campaigns in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid, where he became the first player to claim five consecutive Masters 1000 titles. The 24-year-old is now within one victory of breaking Djokovic's record outright; a win in his quarter-final clash would hand him the outright record.
The Golden Masters pursuit
Beyond the streak, Sinner is chasing another historic milestone in Rome. Having already won eight of the nine available Masters 1000 titles on the ATP Tour, the Italian top seed is attempting to become only the second player, after Djokovic, to capture the Career Golden Masters — a feat that would cement his place among tennis's all-time greats.
Pellegrino's spirited showing
The scoreline belied the contest's competitive nature. Pellegrino, ranked World No. 155 and competing in a Masters 1000 main draw for the first time, produced several eye-catching moments through clever drop shots, sliced forehands, and aggressive baseline play that repeatedly energised the home crowd. Trailing 3-2 in the second set, he threatened double break-point opportunities before Sinner unleashed a characteristic acceleration, breaking serve for 4-3 and closing out the match comfortably.
Sinner's Italian dominance
The victory extended Sinner's unbeaten record against Italian compatriots to 19-0 on tour. As the Rome finalist from last season, he has now reached the quarter-finals in the Italian capital on three occasions, becoming only the second Italian man in the Open Era after Adriano Panatta to achieve that feat three times.
Road ahead
Sinner will next face either Andrey Rublev or Nikoloz Basilashvili for a semi-final berth. Meanwhile, Pellegrino, who defeated Frances Tiafoe earlier in the tournament, is projected to climb more than 30 places in the live rankings and reach a career-high ranking next week.
Point of View
An era of smaller fields and slower surfaces. Sinner has matched it against the modern tour's depth and speed. One more win breaks the record; a Golden Masters would place him in conversation with the sport's greatest. The Italian is not just chasing numbers; he is redefining what dominance looks like.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sinner's current Masters 1000 winning streak?
Sinner is on a 31-win streak at ATP Masters 1000 events, matching Novak Djokovic's all-time record. The streak began late last season and includes five consecutive Masters 1000 titles won at Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid.
How many Masters 1000 titles does Sinner need for the Career Golden Masters?
Sinner has won eight of the nine available Masters 1000 titles on the ATP Tour. He needs to win only the remaining title to complete the Career Golden Masters, a feat achieved only by Novak Djokovic.
Who will Sinner face in the quarter-finals?
Sinner will face either Andrey Rublev or Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in the semi-finals. A victory would also give him the outright Masters 1000 winning streak record.
How did Pellegrino perform despite the loss?
Pellegrino, ranked World No. 155, competed in a Masters 1000 main draw for the first time and produced several eye-catching moments with drop shots and aggressive baseline play. He is projected to climb over 30 places in the rankings and reach a career-high after defeating Frances Tiafoe earlier in the tournament.
