Stat of the Day: Jannik Sinner ties record for most wins by an Italian man in a season in Open Era

Jannik Sinner powered into his ninth semifinal of the year on Friday, defeating Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinals in Vienna, 6-3, 6-4.

It may have been a relatively straightforward match, but the victory was historic: it was Sinner’s 54th win of the year, equaling the Open Era record for most wins by an Italian man in a single season.

The 22-year-old Sinner, who’s now 54-14 this year, ties countryman Corrado Barazzutti, who put together a 54-28 record in 1978.

Barazzutti’s career was highlighted by two Grand Slam semifinals, at the US Open in 1977 and Roland Garros in 1978, and five career ATP titles. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 7 in 1978.

With one more win, Sinner will make history as the first Italian man in the Open Era to record 55 wins in a season.

Tiafoe had beaten Sinner in their most recent meeting, coincidentally at the same event in Vienna two years ago, but this time Sinner was in control from start to finish, breaking the American in his opening service game for a quick 2-0 lead and then one more time in the seventh game of the second set to go up 4-3. The Italian also fought off all three break points he himself faced in the match.

“For sure it was a tough match. I tried to serve well, especially in the important moments,” Sinner said afterwards. “He’s a very good player and I had to stay on my level—he had a couple of break points first set and a couple of break points second set, but I tried to serve in the right spots in the right moments, and I felt quite good today on court.

“Hopefully also tomorrow I can play a very good level, which I have to—Andrey played an incredible encounter before.”

Rublev defeated Alexander Zverev in a quarterfinal clash between Top 10 players earlier in the day, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Sinner leads Rublev in their head-to-head, 3-2, though he's 3-0 in completed matches, with both of his losses coming via retirement.