Rome, May 13 -- World number one Jannik Sinner equalled Novak Djokovic's all-time record of consecutive wins at Masters 1,000 level with a straight-set victory over compatriot Andrea Pellegrino at the Italian Open.
The Italian first seed won his last-16 tie 6-2 6-3, drawing level with Djokovic's record of 31 back-to-back wins.
The 24-year-old is also bidding to join Djokovic in becoming only the second player on the ATP Tour to win all nine Masters 1,000 tournaments, and his path to doing so became easier after second seed Alexander Zverev was knocked out by Luciano Darderi.
Zverev, who lost to Sinner in the final of the Madrid Open this month, won a comfortable first set 6-1 against Italian Darderi.
He failed to convert four match poin...