Sinner begins bid for history with win in Rome

Sinner begins bid for history with win in RomeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Italian Open is the only Masters 1000 event Jannik Sinner has not wonByMike PeterBBC Sport journalistPublished9 May 2026, 12:22 BSTUpdated 28 minutes agoWorld number one Jannik Sinner began his bid for more tennis history with a straightforward victory against Sebastian Ofner in the Italian Open second round.Victory in Rome would mean Sinner became only the second player after Novak Djokovic to complete a career Golden Masters of winning all nine Masters 1000 events.The Italian is the form player on the men’s tour, having won the past five Masters events, and has lost just two matches this season.In front of a packed crowd, Sinner swept aside Austria’s Ofner 6-3 6-4 for his 29th successive win at a Masters event.Sinner did not face a break point in the match and dropped just six points behind his first serve in another imperious performance.The 24-year-old reached the final in Rome last year on his return from a three-month doping suspension, but lost to rival Carlos Alcaraz.”It’s been a very special tournament for me, starting with a wildcard back in the day,” Sinner reported.”Every year when you come here you reflect a little bit. “I’m very happy to be here. Let’s see what’s coming in the next round.”Sinner will face either 26th seed Jakub Mensik – the only player other than Djokovic to beat him this year – or Australia’s Alexei Popyrin next.Sabalenka suffers second defeat in three matches