Jannik Sinner continues to excel under the Parisian spotlight, delivering another exceptional performance that propels him into the Rolex Paris Masters semifinals. The Italian sensation powered past Ben Shelton in straight sets on Friday, keeping his chase alive to reclaim the World No. 1 spot from Carlos Alcaraz and mark an important turning point in his rapidly ascending career.
Jannik Sinner’s statement win in his 400th match
Playing his 400th tour-level match, Sinner showed no signs of slowing down. The 24-year-old, currently seeded second, outclassed Shelton 6-3, 6-3 in a dominant display that reaffirmed why he’s one of the hottest names in men’s tennis. The win extended Sinner’s indoor winning streak to 24 matches, a run that dates back to November 2023.
The victory also brings him one step closer to reclaiming the World No. 1 spot. If Jannik Sinner lifts the Paris Masters trophy — which would be his fifth title of the season and his first ATP Masters 1000 crown of 2025 — he will officially return to the top of the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday.
Historic feat for Italian tennis
Sinner’s triumph carries special weight beyond the match itself. With this semifinal appearance, he became the first Italian player ever to reach the Rolex Paris Masters semifinals. Moreover, the victory made him the first Italian man to reach 43 tour-level semifinals, surpassing legends Fabio Fognini and Adriano Panatta.
It’s an incredible feat for a player who had previously struggled at the Paris event, entering the tournament with just one win in three prior appearances. Now, Jannik Sinner is rewriting history with his precision, consistency, and calm under pressure.
Head-to-head dominance continues
Sinner’s performance against Shelton also underscores his remarkable consistency against American opponents. Since losing to Shelton two years ago in Shanghai, the Italian has won seven straight matches against the 23-year-old. Even more impressively, Sinner is now 22-0 against American players and 14-0 against left-handers since that defeat — a streak that highlights his tactical versatility and relentless form.
Next Challenge: Medvedev or Zverev
Jannik Sinner’s next test will be no less daunting, as he awaits the winner of the clash between third seed Alexander Zverev and 11th seed Daniil Medvedev. The Italian holds a narrow 8-7 lead in his head-to-head with Medvedev and is tied 4-4 against Zverev, including a victory over the German in the Vienna final last week.