How Jannik Sinner saw stunning record end despite Monte-Carlo Masters victory over Tomas Machac as Italian closes on Carlos Alcaraz's No. 1 berth

React to this story

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner continued his stellar recent form with a 6-1 6-7(3) 6-3 victory over Tomas Machac to reach the Monte-Carlo Masters quarter-finals on Thursday. Despite a 14th straight match win, the Italian claimed he was "struggling" against the Czech as his record streak of set wins ended on clay. "I tried to push myself through," he said. "The priority is to recover."

Jannik Sinner se lamenta en un momento de su partido frente a Tomas Machac

Image credit: Getty Images

Jannik Sinner said he was "struggling" during his Monte-Carlo Masters victory over Tomas Machac on Thursday as he saw his record streak of consecutive sets snapped on the Monegasque clay.

The Italian world No. 2 clinched his 14th successive match victory as he bettered Machac 6-1 6-7(3) 6-3 in a little over two hours, continuing his fine run of form off the back of his historic Sunshine Double feat - winning titles at Indian Wells and in Miami without dropping a set.

But overarching his pride in reaching the Monte-Carlo quarter-finals was the disappointment of dropping a set, something he had not done in an ATP 1000 event since the Shanghai Masters in October.

Tennis

One Point Slam to return at 2027 Australian Open - What is it and how does it work?

Yesterday at 10:59

That run encompassed 37 consecutive sets won by Sinner - an ATP record at 1000 level - beating the previous best of 24 set by Novak Djokovic in 2016.

His concession allowed Machac to level the match after a second-set tie-break on Thursday. The Czech had charged into a 5-2 lead in the set but was chalked back to 6-6 after Sinner recovered with a double-break of his own. The Italian could not prevent his counterpart from forcing the decider.

There was little doubt over the outcome of the match, though, with Sinner romping to victory in a dominant third as he set up a quarter-final with Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Highlights: Sinner wins in straight sets again to reach Miami semis

Video credit: SNTV

"I think I can be happy," Sinner said. "Not every day is the same. I was struggling a little bit. I was a bit tired. I hope that I can recover as much as I can for tomorrow.

"I try to do the best I can every match I play. The most important thing today was to try and get through somehow. I can play great tennis tomorrow hopefully. I just try to perform in the best possible way and today is a positive."

Before the tournament, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz vocalised his surprise over Sinner's participation in Monte-Carlo, citing his rival's hectic schedule. Speaking after his win, Sinner explained the physical toll of his recent exploits.

"I felt great before the match," he said. "In the second set I struggled a bit to find the right energy but this can happen.

"I tried to push myself through, which I have done. Even when you don't feel your best, you try to find ways and that was the case today and I am happy. The main priority is to recover."

In the run up to the French Open - which gets underway live on TNT Sports and HBO Max next month - Sinner could dislodge Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the men's rankings, should he either win the Monte-Carlo title, reach the final with Alcaraz falling short, or by reaching the semi-final if Alcaraz fails to progress beyond the quarters.

Should Sinner beat Auger-Aliassime, he would face a semi-final against either Alexander Zverev or Joao Fonseca.

TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to watch live on HBO Max.

US Open Mixed Doubles -