Sinner surges into Rome semis with record Masters 1000 win

World number one Jannik Sinner set a record with his 32nd consecutive Masters 1000 victory, brushing aside Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals on Thursday.

The Italian has now moved clear of Novak Djokovic's record and set his sights on further milestones.

Djokovic remains the only man to have won all nine Masters 1000 events - a feat Sinner could match if he goes on to lift the title on home soil in Rome.

"I don't play for records. I play just for my own story," Sinner said as he continued his ominous form ahead of the French Open.

"At the same time it means a lot to me, but tomorrow is another opponent. We're going to play in different conditions - it's going to be a night match.

"Now the highest priority for me is trying to recover as much as I can physically. We'll see how it goes.

"Emotionally, it takes a lot playing here at home. At the same time, I'll definitely try to do my best. It's a win-win situation for me in any case. It was a good day today."

Sinner awaits former world number one Daniil Medvedev or Spanish youngster Martin Landaluce, who play later on Thursday.