Jannik Sinner: the matchup, the stakes, the verdict

Jannik Sinner has become the youngest man to reach the final of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments after swatting aside Arthur Fils at the Madrid Open. Jannik Sinner has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Australia.

Key facts

• Jannik Sinner has become the youngest man to reach the final of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments after swatting aside Arthur Fils at the Madrid Open.
• Fils beats Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in Madrid Open quarter-final.
• The world No.1's unbeaten run goes on with in-form Frenchman Arthur Fils the latest opponent to be dispatched,...
• The Frenchman ​offered more ‌resistance in the second set, varying his play to stay in touch, ​but Sinner secured the decisive break before closing out the match in 85 minutes.
• Sinner has not been beaten since a surprise loss to Jakub Mensik in Doha in February, winning titles in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, with his unbeaten streak now at 22 matches.

What we know

Going deeper, Fils beats Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in Madrid Open quarter-final.

On the substance, the world No.1's unbeaten run goes on with in-form Frenchman Arthur Fils the latest opponent to be dispatched,...

Beyond the headlines, the Frenchman ​offered more ‌resistance in the second set, varying his play to stay in touch, ​but Sinner secured the decisive break before closing out the match in 85 minutes.

More precisely, Sinner has not been beaten since a surprise loss to Jakub Mensik in Doha in February, winning titles in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, with his unbeaten streak now at 22 matches.

It is worth noting that In Sunday's final Sinner, who could claim a record fifth successive ATP Masters ‌1000 title, will ​meet the winner of the second semi-final between the two-time Madrid champion ​Alexander Zverev or Alexander ⁠Blockx.

By the numbers

At this stage, the world No.1 follows Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in completing the set and, at 24, has done so at a younger age than his illustrious predecessors

On a related note, the top seed did not face a break point throughout his 6-2 6-4 victory and is now only one victory away from becoming the first man to win five successive Masters titles.

The wider context

On a related note, Sinner has been open about finding the conditions at the Caja Magica difficult but he has dropped just one set this fortnight and was mightily impressive against one of the tour's most in-form players in Frenchman Fils.

Going deeper, Sinner into Madrid final, breaking Djokovic record.

On the substance, Chasing his second clay-court title of the season, the Italian controlled the ⁠baseline exchanges and mixed in deft ‌drop ​shots to hand Fils his first defeat on the surface this year.

Beyond the headlines, For me, the most important was trying to raise my level today, which I've done, especially first set – very, very aggressive and I'm changing direction very well.

More precisely, I'm very happy to close it out in two and it means a lot to me, of course.

The bottom line

• The world No.1's unbeaten run goes on with in-form Frenchman Arthur Fils the latest opponent to be dispatched,...
• The Frenchman ​offered more ‌resistance in the second set, varying his play to stay in touch, ​but Sinner secured the decisive break before closing out the match in 85 minutes.
• The world No.1 follows Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in completing the set and, at 24, has done so at a younger age than his illustrious predecessors – taking a year off Djokovic's previous record.
• Searches spiking right now: Sinner seals historic Madrid final place, Raducanu working with US Open coach, Sinner swats aside Fils in Madrid SF, closes in on history, Sinner into Madrid final, breaking Djokovic record, You butter believe that Jannik Sinner likes curry – Tennis ace reveals his favourite Indian cuisine.