Jannik Sinner advanced to the Monte Carlo quarter-finals on Thursday after narrowly defeating Czech player Tomas Machac.
Sinner, the world number two, appeared to be on his way to a comfortable victory when he secured the first set 6-1.
However, the Czech star roared back to take a 5-2 lead in the second set.
Sinner fought valiantly but ended up losing the second set 6-7.
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However, the Italian quickly composed himself before winning the final set 6-3.
Despite winning the contest, Sinner’s streak of 37 consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events came to an end against Machac.
However, this result may have been exactly what the Italian needed to kick on throughout the clay-court swing.
Jannik Sinner’s loss of a set against Tomas Machac will ensure that he does not get complacent
Before today, Jannik Sinner had won a record-breaking 37 consecutive sets at ATP Masters events.
The Italian has also won three consecutive Masters events, and could win his fourth straight in Monte Carlo this weekend.
After demonstrating such dominance, one would not blame the Italian if he became a little complacent.
While Sinner does not appear to have let complacency creep into his game, there is always the possibility of this occurring, no matter whether a player is ranked first in the world, or 1000th.
Sinner would not have wanted to lose a set to Tomas Machac. However, doing so may give the 24-year-old a vital reality check as he looks to dominate the clay-court swing.
Sinner will hope to continue his dominant start against Felix Auger-Aliassime, who advanced to the quarter-finals following Casper Ruud’s retirement.
Sinner has an impressive record against Auger-Aliassime, winning their last three matches on the ATP Tour.
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Jannik Sinner’s record against Felix Auger-Aliassime
Sinner and Auger-Aliassime first played each other on the ATP Tour at the 2022 Madrid Open.
Auger-Aliassime emerged victorious from the contest, comfortably defeating Sinner 6-1, 6-2.
Over a year later, Auger-Aliassime won his second consecutive match against the Italian, winning 26 76(1) 61 in Cincinnati.
However, since then, Sinner has dominated their matchup.
The 24-year-old Italian has won three consecutive matches against Auger-Aliassime, the last being at the 2025 ATP Finals.
Auger-Aliassime produced a fine performance against Sinner during their contest in Turin, but ultimately lost 4-6, 6-7.
However, despite his poor recent record against Sinner, Auger-Aliassime remains confident in his ability.
“For me, it’s not a huge gap. I’m getting closer every match we play against each other,” said Auger-Aliassime, as per the ATP Tour.
“This match was more tight. At the US Open, I managed to win a set and lost the first and the fourth in a difficult way.
“I had a really fun week, good week, great tennis, obviously with high stakes and high pressure, coming up with a good level when I needed to.
“I can thank the crowd as well. All the way through they were supporting me. Even today you felt that. They wanted a third set, they wanted more tennis, as I wanted. They were great all week.”
