ROME -- Jannik Sinner is two victories away from becoming the first home man 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 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 Italy President Sergio Mattarella also slated to attend the final.
"It's a special tournament for me," Sinner said.
With nearly everyone inside the 10,500-seat Campo Centrale cheering for Sinner, many supporters wore hats and T-shirts in orange -- his theme color.
One group of fans held up a sign that said, "Sinner, Facce Sogna" -- "Sinner, Make us dream."
He lost last year's final in Rome to Carlos Alcaraz, who is now sidelined due to a right wrist injury, while Jasmine Paolini in 2025 became the first Italian woman to raise the trophy in 40 years.
Sinner broke serve in the opening game for a third straight match and never lost control against Rublev, who was once ranked as high as No. 5.
Rublev noticed there were "many points where he played really well or close to the line or in a line. But he's No. 1 and it's normal. You need to force him to miss and it takes a lot of focus to be able to play at that level."
Sinner had only one brief lapse when Rublev broke him late in the second set.
"It was a bit breezy, a bit windy, so it was very tough conditions," Sinner said. "I felt we both didn't play at our best today."
Sinner said he felt fatigued toward the end.
"I'm going to be all right. It's normal that one day in the tournament you are slightly tired," he said. "It has been very long days for me."
Sinner hasn't been beaten in a Masters event since he retired with cramps in extreme heat against Tallon Griekspoor in Shanghai in October.
Djokovic won 31 straight Masters matches in 2011.