Jannik Sinner is simply unbeatable at the Masters 1000 level these days.
The world No. 1 has won four consecutive Masters titles dating back to last fall in Paris, a stretch that also includes triumphs in Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte-Carlo. His overall match winning streak at 1000s stands at 26. Perhaps an even more amazing statistic is that Sinner has won 24 of those 26 matches in straight sets.
Arthur Fils is the next challenger looking to defy the odds by pulling off a monumental upset, as the Frenchman will face Sinner in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday. This marks just their second head-to-head showdown and first since 2023, when the Italian prevailed 7-5, 6-2 in the Montpellier semis.
Fast forward three years and Sinner is at the top of the game, while Fils has designs of joining him — at the very least — in the top five. The 21-year-old is 22-5 this season with a title in Barcelona and a runner-up performance in Doha (lost to Carlos Alcaraz). So far this fortnight he has knocked off Ignacio Buse, Emilio Nava, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, and Miami finalist Jiri Lehecka.
Fils would be looking like a title contender…if Sinner were not in the picture. Unfortunately for the world No. 25 (No. 17 live), Sinner has been looking like his normal self since losing his opening set of the tournament. The 24-year-old bounced back to beat Benjamin Bonzi 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4 and followed that up with straight-set defeats of Elmer Moller, Cameron Norrie, and Rafael Jodar.
Similar to Wednesday’s Sinner vs. Jodar match, the entertainment level should be high and the ultimate outcome should not be in much doubt.
Pick: Sinner in 2