Sinner Extends Winning Streak to 22, Reaches Madrid Final Against Zverev

Key facts

• Jannik Sinner defeated Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach his first Madrid Open final.
• Sinner's winning streak now stands at 22 matches.
• He will face Alexander Zverev, who beat Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5.
• Sinner is the first man born in the 2000s to reach 350 career wins.
• He is the fourth and youngest man to reach a final at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments.
• Zverev is in his fourth Madrid final, having won the title in 2018 and 2021.
• The women's final on Saturday features Mirra Andreeva against Marta Kostyuk.

A Dominant Semifinal Performance

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner extended his winning streak to 22 matches by defeating Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinals of the Madrid Open on Friday. The Italian did not face a single break point in the match, breaking Fils twice in the first set and once in the second to secure victory in straight sets. Fils, the 21st seed who won the Barcelona Open two weeks ago, led 3-2 in the second set after saving two break points, but Sinner broke to go 5-4 ahead and served out the match. The 24-year-old Sinner described it as "a very good day in the office" in an on-court interview.

Zverev Overcomes Blockx to Set Up Final Clash

Third-seeded Alexander Zverev dominated unheralded Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 in the other semifinal, reaching his fourth Madrid final. Zverev, who won the tournament in 2018 and 2021, raced through the first set but had to be patient in the second, breaking Blockx in the 11th game before serving out the match. Blockx, 21, had beaten three top-20 seeds to reach his first Masters 1000 semifinal and will rise 34 places to 35th in the ATP rankings despite the loss. Zverev said he is "looking forward to playing Jannik again" and expects a tough match, adding that "the better player will win on Sunday."

Sinner's Historic Chase for Five Consecutive Masters 1000 Titles

Sinner is attempting to become the first man to win five consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments. He has already won the opening three ATP 1000 events of the season—Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo—and also triumphed in Paris last year. If he claims a fifth straight title on Sunday, he would surpass Novak Djokovic, who won four consecutive events on three occasions, and Rafael Nadal, who clinched four straight in 2013. Sinner's victory over Fils also marked his 350th career win, making him the first player born in the 2000s to reach that milestone. He is the third man to reach the final of the first four Masters 1000 events of the season, after Roger Federer (2006) and Nadal (2011).

Elite Company: Sinner Joins Federer, Djokovic, Nadal

With Friday's win, Sinner became the fourth and youngest man to reach the final at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments, joining Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal. The 24-year-old Italian has beaten Zverev in their last four meetings, all in semifinals of Masters 1000 events in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo, without dropping a set. Zverev, 29, will be encouraged by his familiarity with the Madrid final, having won twice there. The German has lost in straight sets in four consecutive semifinal meetings with Sinner, but remains confident heading into Sunday's match.

Women's Final Set for Saturday

In the women's draw, Mirra Andreeva will face Marta Kostyuk in the final on Saturday. Andreeva defeated Hailey Baptiste to reach her first Madrid Open final, while Kostyuk advanced through her semifinal. The match promises to be a compelling contest between two rising stars on the WTA Tour.

What's at Stake on Sunday

Sunday's final will determine whether Sinner can etch his name in the record books with a fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title. A win would also extend his winning streak to 23 matches and cement his dominance on clay this season. For Zverev, a victory would give him a third Madrid title and snap Sinner's recent head-to-head dominance. The match is scheduled to take place at the Caja Mágica in Madrid, with both players expected to deliver a high-quality contest. The outcome will have significant implications for the ATP rankings and the momentum heading into the French Open later this month.

The bottom line

• Jannik Sinner has won 22 consecutive matches and is one win away from a record fifth straight Masters 1000 title.
• He will face Alexander Zverev, a two-time Madrid champion, in Sunday's final.
• Sinner is the first player born in the 2000s to reach 350 career wins.
• He is the fourth and youngest man to reach a final at all nine Masters 1000 events.
• Zverev defeated Alexander Blockx, who will rise to No. 35 in the rankings after his semifinal run.
• The women's final on Saturday features Mirra Andreeva against Marta Kostyuk.