Jannik Sinner began his quest for an unprecedented fifth straight title at a Masters 1000 tournament with a runaway 6-3, 6-4 start over Stefan Ofner on Saturday in Rome.

The second-round clash between the German-speaking Italian world No. 1 from  the former Austrian territory of Alto Adige and an actual Austrian was played in front of a packed-out Campo Centrale with local fans in full voice.

The final three games of the march were twice interrupted by medical emergencies in the stands, resulting in around 20 or more cumulative minutes of delay. 

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Sinner said. “In the first matches, the most important thing is trying not to lose.

“The level changes day by day. This has always been a special tournament for me.

“Being Italian, you reflect on the year a little bit. I’m happy to be here. Every situation, every week is different I’m trying to get a good match rhythm again.”

Sinner has lifted four straight Masters titles – Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo – and could become the first man to ever win five on the trot. His current Masters win streak was extended to 29 straight.

A title next weekend at the Foro Italico would also complete his career matched set of all nine Masters 1000 titles.

Ofner began with a love game and gave Sinner a challenge but eventually took the loss after his initial flurry of form.

Sinner claimed the opener in 36 minutes and began the second with a break of the 82nd-ranked player who turns 30 on Tuesday.

The Italian, who lost the Rome final 2 months ago to Carlos Alcaraz, finished off the crowd-pleasing win as Ofner could not handle a forehand winner deep into the corner after 91 minutes.   

The Italian top seed won his 24th straight ATP match of the season as he advanced while denying Ofner a first win over a top 10 player after a dozen previous losses to the elite.

Main photo:- Jannik sinner won Miami Open in April – by ISF Ltd

Jannik Sinner wrapped up a spot in his first final in Madrid on Friday and extended his Masters 1000 win streak to 27 matches.

The world No. 1 was on fire in an 86-minute defeat of Frenchman Arthur Fils, with the 6-2, 6-4 scoreline moving him to one more match win of claiming titles at an unprecedented five Masters events in a row.

The Italian’s streak in the elite ATP series began with an indoor trophy last November in Paris and has continued this season with more of the same at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo a month ago.

Sinner dispatched Fils on his first match point after breaking in the previous game with an explosive backhand winner down the line to cap a 24-shot rally.

“In the first set I tried to play very aggressive,” Sinner said. “I was feeling very comfortable in the returns.”In the second set he served better and it was more difficult for me. But I’m happy in general with the performance today, I’m trying to play the best tennis that I can.”

The Italian called his showing “a good day at the office.”

I’m happy that I played him, winning means a lot to me. I tried to play in the best possible way

Sinner will face off in Sunday’s final in the Spanish capital against either two-time champion Alexander Zverev, seeded third, or Belgian outsider Alexander Blockx.   

The winners of the last two editions of the Madrid Masters rolled over minimal opposition on Thursday to reach the third round with quick-fire victories.

Holder Aryna Sabalenka ran her current win streak to 13 straight matches with a 7-5, 6-3 defeat of Payton Stearns, earning her seventh straight victory in Madrid.

The world No. 1 has claimed three titles here from four finals and is riding a wave of confidence after lifting trophies in Indian Wells and Miami last month.

“I’m just glad that I got the win. Maybe not that beautiful, but I feel like by the end of the match I felt much better on court,” Sabalenka said. “I really hope that in the next match I’ll bring better things.”

The winner now faces Romanian 29th seed Jaqueline Cristian.

“Today was a fresh start for me. And it wasn’t that smooth and maybe the movement wasn’t that good.

“But I’m happy I got a win. And I’ll just do some extra stuff tomorrow. Make sure that in the next match I’ll be playing a little bit better,” said the four-time Grand Slam winner.

Iga Swiatek, the fourth seed and former WTA No. 1, advanced as she crushed Daria Snigur 6-2, 6-4 in a 61-minute first outing after hiring former Emma Raducanu mentor Francisco Roig as her new coach a few weeks ago.

Swiatek is bidding for a fifth career title on clay and comes to the Spanish capital after losing in a Stuttgart quarter-final last week to Mirra Andreeva.