Jannik Sinner showed a few cracks after a month of clay tennis , with the Italian overcoming a possible leg niggle on “Thursday in a 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final defeat of Andrey Rublev at the Rome Masters.

The World No. 1 set a new all-time mark of 32 wins at the Masters level, one more than Novak Djiokovic.

The 24 Italian is two victories away from another record, five straight titles at Masters level. dating back to Paris Indoors last November.

But the wear and tear of the sport may be taking a toll, with Sinner favouring his upper right leg late in the match while leading a set and a break.

Jannik Sinner came back out on Saturday after a rain interruption the previous night and played four more games to complete a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win over Daniil Medvedev to back up his final here a year ago at his home Rome Masters.

The semi-final match was halted by rain on Friday night, with Sinner looking decidedly fragile, appearing ill and requiring a trainer’s visit to massage a right thigh concern

The victory sends the world No. 1 into Sunday’s title match against Casper Ruud, who comfortably booked his place on Friday.

Sinner hammered the Norwegian the last time they played in Rome, listing just one game.

The Italian saved two match points in the ninth game of the final set, with Medvedev holding for 4-5.

Sinner finished off the win in less than 19 minutes, firing a cross-court winner to complete the two-part contest.

Should he win on Sunday he will become the first man to ever win five straight Masters 1000 titles.

The top seed said he spent a restless night.

“I never struggle to get to sleep at night but last night was not easy, 

“Late in the third set with the match nearly done, there are always nerves when you start a match. You never know what can happen.”

But the drama was all forgotten. “I’m happy how I handled the situation<

 Sinner said. “Tomorrow will be a tough day

“Casper is playing much better than when I beat him here. I’m happy to stand again in the final.

“This is a special tournament for me and for Italians, I’m very happy with how I handled the situation.

“I’m glad this match is finally over, it was a very long one.”

He added: “If the final goes well, great. If not then I’ll still be very happy – final of a Masters is still an amazing result.”

Sinner lost the Rome final a year ago to Carlos Alcaraz.

During his second-set low point on Friday night in heavy, humid conditions, Sinner looked distressed during a sit-down, gasping at his midsection and showing a shaky hand as he drank and breathing heavily.

Sinner won his 10th match from 17 played against Medvedev, a former Rome champion and one-time world No. 1.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner celebrates – by ATPTour.com

Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev were shut down Friday as their Rome Masters semi-final was interrupted overnight by rain, with the Italian lead 6-2, 5-7, 4-2.

With forecast for the rest of the night dire, officials pulled the plug and scheduled to conclude on Saturday.

The winner will take on Casper Ruud, who crushed Italian Luciano Darderi with the loss of just two games in another rain-interrupted semi which lasted for barely an hour on court.

Sinner, bidding for history if he reaches the Sunday final as the only man to win five Masters titles in a row. was looking fragile in the second set as he sat down trailing 3-1 in a semi-final watched by icon Boris Becker. 

He appeared to vomit quietly into a courtside container and looked shaky while taking hydration at the changeover while breathing heavily and at one point clutching at his midsection.

he later took a debatable medical timeout leading 3-2 in the third set, a mov which drew Medvedev complaints over a possible illegal visit since it could have been due to cramping – not a treatable injury during a match under the rules.

But the player from the German-speaking northern Alto Adige region held on, saving set points in the second before Medvedev squared at a set apiece.

Sinner went up a break in the third set but was unable to close out the painful win.

The rain began, with Medvedev hapy to play on while Sinner was reluctant and did not hide his feeling from the chair umpire.

The match went off court at 10:45 pm with the rain continuing.

Sinner and Medvedev were meeting for the 17th tie, with the Italian standing 9-7..