Jannik Sinner breaks Masters record to reach Italian Open semis

Jannik Sinner is two victories away from becoming the first home male player to win the Italian Open in half a century. And it doesn't seem like anybody can stop him, either in Rome or at the French Open that starts in 10 days.

The top-ranked Sinner landed shots on the lines repeatedly in a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over No. 14 Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals on Thursday and move past Novak Djokovic with a record 32nd consecutive victory in Masters 1000 events, the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams.

"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," Sinner said.

The last Italian man to raise the singles trophy on the red clay of the Foro Italico was Adriano Panatta in 1976. Panatta will present the title to this year's champion on Sunday, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella also slated to attend the final.

Sinner is also aiming to become the second man after Djokovic to triumph at all nine Masters events. Djokovic has won each event at least twice.

The Italian Open is the only Masters event that Sinner hasn't won.

Sinner's semifinal opponent will be 2023 Rome champion Daniil Medvedev, who came back to beat Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.

The other semifinal will feature Casper Ruud of Norway against Luciano Darderi, an Argentine-born Italian.