World number one Jannik Sinner continues to look unstoppable on the court. On Tuesday, May 12, he cruised into the quarterfinals of the Italian Open 2026 with a 6-2, 6-3 demolition of fellow Italian Andrea Pellegrino. With this victory, Sinner has now won 31 consecutive matches at the Masters 1000 level, officially matching the legendary Novak Djokovic for the longest winning streak in the history of the series.
The 24-year-old, who already has four Grand Slams to his name, showed absolutely no mercy from the opening serve. He played with a ruthlessness, storming out to a 4-0 lead before Pellegrino could even find his footing in the match.
Pellegrino showed greater resistance in the second set, drawing level at 3-3, but Sinner broke for 4-3 and closed out the match comfortably.
Sinner struck 13 winners in a contest that lasted one hour and 29 minutes.
Jannik Sinner sails into the Rome quarterfinals after beating Andrea Pellegrino 6-2, 6-3 👏 @janniksin is now 19-0 against his countrymen 🫢 #IBI26 pic.twitter.com/8Fhtb4gITN
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 12, 2026
“I’m very happy about the outcome. At the same time, I’m very happy for him. We played seven years ago on a smaller court, so it’s nice,” Sinner said.
“From an Italian point of view, it’s amazing that there are so many Italians left in the draw. 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.”
Earlier this month, Sinner became the first man to win five consecutive Masters 1000 titles when he lifted the Madrid Open trophy, adding to his recent triumphs in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.
With only Rome missing from his collection, Sinner is aiming to go one better than last year, when he was beaten in the final by Carlos Alcaraz. The seven-times major winner, who is nursing a wrist injury, is out of the French Open.
If Sinner goes on to claim the Rome title, he will join Djokovic as the only men to have won all nine Masters 1000 events.
“I think I can be very happy. The conditions were tricky, with some wind at the start, so it wasn’t easy,” Sinner added.
“I’m pleased with how I’m handling these situations. The stages are getting bigger and bigger, and I’m happy to put myself in these positions. A day off tomorrow will be important for me to rest.”
Elsewhere, home hope Luciano Darderi shocked German second seed Alexander Zverev 1-6 7-6(10) 6-0, saving four match points to reach the quarter-finals.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
