India, May 16 -- Jannik Sinner is two victories away from becoming the first home male player to win the Italian Open in half a century. And it doesn't seem like anybody can stop him - either in Rome or at the French Open that starts in 10 days.

The top-ranked Sinner landed shots on the lines repeatedly in a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over No. 14 Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals Thursday and move past Novak Djokovic with a record 32nd consecutive victory in Masters 1000 events - the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams.

"I don't play for records. I play just for my own story. And obviously at the same time it means a lot to me," Sinner said.

The last Italian man to raise the singles trophy on the red clay of the Foro Italico was Adri...