“I just go day by day”: Jannik Sinner plays down 30 consecutive sets won during dominant Masters 1000 run

Thursday, 26 March 2026 at 22:30

Jannik Sinner continued his dominant run on hard courts, advancing to the semi-finals of the Miami Open with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Frances Tiafoe. The Italian extended his winning streak at Masters 1000 level to 15 matches, a sequence dating back to the Paris Masters, while also reaching 30 consecutive sets won across those events.

The World No. 2 arrives in the final stages of Miami carrying momentum from his Indian Wells title earlier this month, placing himself two wins away from completing the Sunshine Double. His performance against Tiafoe followed a familiar pattern, with early control, efficient serving, and sustained baseline consistency limiting opportunities for his opponent.

Sinner has built his 2026 campaign around clarity in execution rather than extended physical battles. Against Tiafoe, he imposed his tempo from the opening games, converting early pressure into a decisive lead. He now awaits the winner of Alexander Zverev and Francisco Cerundolo as he targets another Masters 1000 final.

His run in Miami reinforces his consistency at the highest level, adding to multiple deep appearances at the tournament in previous years. With several Masters 1000 titles already in his career, Sinner’s current stretch further consolidates his position among the leading contenders on the ATP Tour.

Early control sets tone in commanding win over Tiafoe

Sinner emphasised the importance of securing early momentum, identifying the opening games as a decisive phase in shaping the match. His ability to take control quickly has been a consistent feature during his recent winning streak.

“I feel like starting the match is very important. When you start with a break up it gives you slightly good confidence," the world No. 2 said during his on-court interview. "At the same time, they might be very aggressive. I try to stay as compact as possible with my shots, also mentally. There can be some ups and downs from both sides. I try to be very calm, taking the chances I can get. I think today that was the key.”

That approach translated directly into the scoreline, with Sinner maintaining a structured baseline game and limiting unforced errors. Tiafoe, who had navigated longer matches earlier in the tournament, struggled to disrupt the Italian’s rhythm once the early break was established.

Sinner also pointed to the physical and tactical preparation behind the performance, noting that his strategy included assessing Tiafoe’s prior workload and adapting accordingly to maintain pressure throughout the match.

“I feel like it started off very well and I saw some really good, important moments, so that for sure helped me," Sinner said to Tennis Channel. "Frances had some very tough matches before this one, very long ones, so I tried to start in a very physical way and understand how he feels. I’m very happy about today’s performance, now let’s see what’s coming tomorrow.”

Serve efficiency and composure underpin sustained Masters dominance

A key component of Sinner’s recent form has been the development of his serve, with increased speed and variation allowing him to control points more effectively. Against Tiafoe, he consistently disrupted return positioning by adjusting pace and targeting different areas.

“It's part of the process we are trying to go through. Against Frances, he was standing very close, I tried to understand where he was going for and also on the second serve I tried to mix it up a little bit more, also pace-wise, a bit faster at the body, so it was a good serving day for sure.”

This improvement has been central to his 15-match Masters winning streak, reducing exposure to extended rallies and maintaining scoreboard pressure. Across that stretch, Sinner has shown limited fluctuations in level, frequently closing matches in straight sets and avoiding prolonged momentum swings.

“Grand Slams are always different. They are best-of-five and also in an emotional part you feel it more. But everything is very tough in our sport. Winning at any level, even 250s or 500s, they are all tough tournaments to win, so every victory is great. I just go day by day, trying to understand what my level is, where I can slightly improve, and then we’ll see.”

Managing workload and maintaining balance during Miami campaign

Sinner also highlighted the importance of managing the physical and mental demands of consecutive tournaments such as Indian Wells and Miami. The extended duration of these events requires careful balance, particularly for European players adjusting to different conditions and schedules.

He noted that maintaining perspective away from competition is essential, using simple routines and limited off-court activity to sustain focus throughout the tournament. “It’s also important to switch off mentally a little bit. Indian Wells and Miami are very long tournaments, and for us Europeans it’s always a bit different being here or being in Europe. But I truly enjoy the time here, it’s an amazing city, so we also need to enjoy this moment.”

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Sinner also briefly addressed Carlos Alcaraz, acknowledging his versatility across different sports. The comment reflects the continued presence of their rivalry at the top of the men’s game, with both players positioned as central figures in the current ATP landscape.

“If he says so, he needs to run and play for both, because me in paddle, I’m not great. But we all know what Carlos is capable of doing in every sport. He’s playing good golf, good paddle, obviously an amazing tennis player, and skiing I do for both.”

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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