World number one Jannik Sinner equalled Novak Djokovic’s all-time record of consecutive wins at Masters 1,000 level with a straight-set victory over compatriot Andrea Pellegrino at the Italian Open.
The Italian first seed won his last-16 tie 6-2 6-3, drawing level with Djokovic’s record of 31 back-to-back wins.
The 24-year-old is also bidding to join Djokovic in becoming only the second player on the ATP Tour to win all nine Masters 1,000 tournaments, and his path to doing so became easier after second seed Alexander Zverev was knocked out by Luciano Darderi.
Zverev, who lost to Sinner in the final of the Madrid Open this month, won a comfortable first set 6-1 against Italian Darderi.
He failed to convert four match points in a lengthy second set, losing on tie-break 7-6 (12-10), and was then crushed 6-0 in the third to exit to the 18th seed.
Sinner made lighter work of his encounter, racing into a 4-0 lead in a first set that he ultimately won 6-2, then breaking for 4-3 in the second and winning the next two games for victory.
“From an Italian point of view, it’s amazing that there are so many Italians left in the draw,” said four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner.
“It’s a bit unfortunate at the same time because it’s in the round of 16. It’s been a very good match from both of us. Hopefully I’m ready for the quarter-finals.”
Sinner, who became the first man to win five consecutive Masters 1,000 titles when he won in Madrid, will play 12th seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals, while Darderi will face 32nd seed Rafael Jodar.
In the women’s tournament, Romania’s 26th seed Sorana Cirstea continued her fine run of form with a straight-set win over Jelena Ostapenko in the quarter-finals.
The 36-year-old, who will retire at the end of the season, triumphed 6-1 7-6 over her unseeded opponent.
She will face American Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals after the third seed beat teenager Mirra Andreeva.
Andreeva, seeded eighth, reached the final of the Madrid Open less than a fortnight ago but exited 4-6 6-2 6-4 to Gauff.
