World number one Jannik Sinner has etched his name into tennis history by equalling Novak Djokovic's all-time record of 31 consecutive wins at the Masters 1,000 level. The Italian star achieved this milestone with a commanding straight-sets victory over compatriot Andrea Pellegrino in the last 16 of the Italian Open, winning 6-2, 6-3.

Sinner, who turned 24 this year, is on a remarkable hot streak. He became the first man to win five consecutive Masters 1,000 titles when he triumphed in Madrid earlier this month, and he's now chasing even bigger glory. The top seed is bidding to become only the second player on the ATP Tour—after Djokovic himself—to win all nine Masters 1,000 tournaments. And his path just got a little clearer.

Second seed Alexander Zverev, who lost to Sinner in the Madrid final, suffered a shocking exit at the hands of Italian Luciano Darderi. Zverev cruised through the first set 6-1, but then stumbled spectacularly. He failed to convert four match points in a gruelling second-set tie-break, losing 7-6 (12-10), before being completely overwhelmed 6-0 in the deciding set.

Sinner, in contrast, made light work of his match. He raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set, eventually taking it 6-2. In the second, he broke for 4-3 and closed out the next two games to seal a polished victory. "From an Italian point of view, it's amazing that there are so many Italians left in the draw," Sinner said after the match. "It's a bit unfortunate at the same time because it's in the round of 16. It's been a very good match from both of us. Hopefully I'm ready for the quarter-finals."

Next up for Sinner is a quarter-final clash with 12th seed Andrey Rublev, while Darderi will face 32nd seed Rafael Jodar. On the women's side, Romania's Sorana Cirstea—who will retire at the end of the season—continued her impressive run with a 6-1, 7-6 win over Jelena Ostapenko. The 36-year-old 26th seed will now face American Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals, after the third seed defeated teenager Mirra Andreeva.