Match Report
Sinner needs three sets in Madrid win: ‘I struggled quite a lot’
World No. 1 next plays Moller
April 24, 2026
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Jannik Sinner is competing as the World No. 1 at an event for the first time in 2026.
By Sam Jacot
Jannik Sinner extended his winning streak to 23 matches at ATP Masters 1000 events on Friday at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he recovered from a slow start to overcome Benjamin Bonzi 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4 in his opening match.
The top seed is aiming to become the first player in series history (since 1990) to win five consecutive Masters 1000 titles, but was made to work hard from an inspired Bonzi on Manolo Santana Stadium.
After losing the first set, Sinner shook off physical concerns to improve to 36-0 in opening-round matches since he lost to Dusan Lajovic in Cincinnati in 2023. The Italian, who has never been beyond the quarter-finals in Madrid, next plays Danish qualifier Elmer Moller.
“I struggled quite a lot, but I knew this before the match that it is a very unique court and conditions,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “But I believe every day is different, so hopefully I can improve slightly for the next round. I tried to stay calm mentally and that is why I won today. I have some time tomorrow and will try to use it in a positive way.”
Since Sinner retired during his third-round clash in Shanghai in October, he has lifted trophies in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo. The 24-year-old did not drop a set at the three hard-court events, with Tomas Machac eventually ending his record-setting streak at 37 in the Monte-Carlo third round.
The 24-year-old defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match in Monte-Carlo earlier this month, and is now competing at an event as the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time this season. The Italian will remain in top spot in the coming weeks after Alcaraz announced on Friday that he is withdrawing from Roland Garros and Rome due to a wrist injury.
In a compelling opening set, Bonzi produced red-hot tennis for extended stretches, taking aggressive cuts at the ball and firing a barrage of winners past the World No. 1. Sinner did battle to set point in the first-set tie-break but was unable to convert, with the Frenchman reeling off three straight points from 5/6 to lead.
Sinner looked sluggish in the early moments of the second set and was frequently bent over following the baseline exchanges. However, the top seed was handed a lifeline when Bonzi hit a costly double fault to hand the Italian the break for 3-1. From there, Sinner quickly levelled and then found a way through in the decider against Bonzi, who received a medical timeout for a shoulder concern at the end of the second set.
