Jannik Sinner extends his winning streak to 20 matches with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Cameron Norrie, securing a spot in the Madrid Open quarter-finals. The Italian world No. 1 continues to dominate, raising questions about challengers at Roland Garros following Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal due to a wrist injury.

Sinner’s Unstoppable Form

Sinner, who reclaimed the top ranking after defeating Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final earlier this month, has dropped just two sets during his streak that began at Indian Wells. Norrie, Britain’s No. 1 projected to rise to world No. 18, fought valiantly but couldn’t match Sinner’s superior power and depth.

Match Breakdown

Norrie started strongly with four unreturned serves in the opening game but Sinner quickly adjusted. Targeting Norrie’s backhand, Sinner broke early after a mishit forehand and poor drop-shot from the Briton. Drop-shots and wide serves from a doubles stance kept Norrie in contention, yet Sinner’s aggressive returns and early ball-taking secured a double break for the first set.

In the second set, Norrie resisted at 1-1 and saved a break point with a stunning down-the-line forehand. An underarm serve backfired, handing Sinner another break. Though Sinner faltered immediately, returning the favor, his returns proved decisive at 5-5, closing the match in 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Sinner Reflects on the Clash

“We know each other quite well. We practised a lot together. We both kind of knew what to expect,” Sinner said. “I felt like I was serving quite well in important moments. This surface is very, very different than all the other surfaces because of the high altitude. It’s very tough to get the right feedback. Sometimes you feel like you’re not playing your best but from the outside it seems like you are. Sometimes it’s also the opposite.”

This marks Sinner’s first competitive win over Norrie, having skipped the 2024 Madrid event due to a hip injury and served a three-month doping ban the previous year.

Quarter-Final Preview and British Struggles

Sinner faces Vit Kopriva or local sensation Rafa Jodar next. The 19-year-old Spaniard, a tournament standout, upset Joao Fonseca in the third round and caught Sinner’s eye with a second-round win over world No. 8 Alex de Minaur.

Britain’s Madrid campaign ends disappointingly: Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu withdrew due to injury and illness, while Katie Boulter fell in the second round to fifth seed Jessica Pegula. Draper sits out the Italian Open, and Raducanu’s status remains uncertain.