Jannik Sinner reaches Monte Carlo quarter-finals as 37-set streak ends
Jannik Sinner has advanced to the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over Tomas Machac, despite dropping his first set at an ATP Masters event in 186 days.
The Italian triumphed 6-1 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 on the Monaco clay to secure his 19th consecutive match win at a Masters tournament.
His remarkable run of 37 consecutive sets won was suddenly halted when the Czech opponent capitalised on a lapse in control to clinch the second-set tie-break.
It marked the first time the world number two had conceded a set at this elite level since retiring injured against Tallon Griekspoor at the Shanghai Masters last October.
Number one ranking in sight
The 22-year-old quickly regained his composure in the deciding set to keep his hopes of a maiden clay-court Masters 1000 title alive.
He will now face Canadian sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last eight of the prestigious tournament.
Lifting the trophy in Monte Carlo would propel the second seed past Carlos Alcaraz to become the new world number one when the rankings update on Monday.
The recent Miami Open winner has no ranking points to defend until the Italian Open in May, having served a suspension during this period last year.
Sabalenka forced to miss Stuttgart
In other tennis news, women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from next week’s Stuttgart Open due to an injury sustained after her Miami triumph.
“I’m very sad to say that I won’t be able to play the Porsche Tennis Gran Prix this year.”
“Unfortunately I suffered an injury after Miami, and even though I tried everything to recover in time, I’m not ready to compete.”
The Belarusian recently became only the fifth female player in history to complete the prestigious ‘Sunshine Double’ across Indian Wells and Miami.
Poland’s Magdalena Frech will replace the four-time Stuttgart runner-up in the draw when the clay-court event begins on Monday.
