Monte-Carlo
Sinner loses set, battles into Monte-Carlo QFs
Italian had won his past 18 matches at Masters 1000 level without dropping a set
April 09, 2026
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner in action on Thursday in Monte-Carlo.
By Sam Jacot
Jannik Sinner dropped his first set at an ATP Masters 1000 event since Shanghai in October but ultimately continued his winning run at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Thursday against Tomas Machac.
Sinner had not lost a set across his previous 18 ATP Masters 1000 matches, lifting titles in Paris, Indian Wells and Miami, but that flawless run came to an end in the Principality, where the Italian triumphed 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3 against the Czech.
“I think I can be happy,” Sinner said. “Not every day is the same. I was struggling a little bit. I was a bit tired. I hope that I can recover as much as I can for tomorrow. I try to do the best I can every match I play. The most important thing today was to try and get through somehow. I can play great tennis tomorrow hopefully. I just try to perform in the best possible way and today is a positive.”
After cruising through the first set, Sinner uncharacteristically lost control during the second set. The World No. 2 committed 15 unforced errors in the set and found himself 2-5 down. Despite rallying to lead 6-5, the 24-year-old eventually fell in the tie-break against an inspired Machac. However, Sinner ensured his day would still end in victory, with the second seed striking the ball with greater depth and more precision in the third set to advance after two hours and one minute.
“I felt great before the match. In the second set I struggled a bit to find the right energy, but this can happen,” Sinner said. “I tried to push myself through, which I have done. Even when you don’t feel your best, you try to find ways and that was the case today and I am happy. The main priority is to recover.”
Sinner made history in March by becoming the first player to win the ‘Sunshine Double’, Indian Wells and Miami, without losing a set. The Italian now stands just three victories away from becoming only the second player to win Miami and Monte Carlo back-to-back, a feat previously achieved by Novak Djokovic in 2015.
A two-time semi-finalist in Monaco, Sinner will next face Felix Auger-Aliassime, who advanced when Casper Ruud was forced to retire with the Canadian leading 7-5, 2-2.
Sinner is also in contention to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings from rival and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. If the Italian leaves Monte-Carlo with the trophy, he is guaranteed to rise to top spot on Monday, but he could return to No. 1 in a number of other ways. Read more here.
Sinner leads World No. 53 Machac 4-0 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series and has won his past 53 matches against players outside the Top 50. The two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion is seeking his first clay-court Masters 1000 crown this week.
