By Tony FairbairnJannik Sinner [1] v Daniil Medvedev [7]Luciano Darderi [18] v Casper Ruud [23]ROME, ITALY – Daniil Medvedev is aiming to halt Jannik Sinner’s historic title bid when the pair meet in the Rome semi-finals.
Jannik Sinner [1] v Daniil Medvedev [7] | H2H: Sinner lead 9-7
Another flawless display from Jannik Sinner ensured that he continues to break more records as he has overtaken Novak Djokovic’s consecutive wins at Masters 1000 level. A 32nd win at Masters 1000 level for Sinner means he has beaten the Serb’s record from 2011 and now targets a place in a second consecutive Rome final. Standing in the world number one’s way is Daniil Medvedev who fought off a late comeback from Martin Landaluce to reach the last four in Italy.
H2H & Match FundamentalsJannik Sinner [1] v Daniil Medvedev [7] H2H: Sinner leads 9-7 Rome 2026 Rome, Italy Clay (O) Prize Money: €297,550Third on Campo Centrale (Not before 18:00 BST)Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
An incredible for Sinner continues to get more historic as he is the second player to reach the first five Masters 1000 semi-finals of the season after Rafael Nadal.
Now, Sinner is aiming to win the Golden Masters Slam as he targets a first Rome title of his career, the only Masters 1000 event missing from his list of titles.
Next up for Sinner is former champion Medvedev who has recovered his form and is back into the semi-finals in Rome.
Despite clay not being his best surface, Medvedev continues to evolve and is aiming to boost his chances of a deep Roland Garros run by causing a big upset in Rome.
After his quarter-final win Sinner reflected on his historic career so far as he is on the brink of something special in Rome.
“I would have never imagined to stand here as the player what I’m right now,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“Back in the days when I was younger, I never thought I would arrive to such a high level of tennis. I think last year I also played great clay-court tennis. Made final here. Made final in Paris. It has been an incredible run last year. This year is the first time I’ve won something big on clay. But this is also the confidence of the process of what we are trying to produce year after year. Also physically I’m getting stronger.
“I think [the improvements are] a mix of everything.”
Meanwhile Medvedev credited lucky loser Landaluce for his level of performance.
“He played unreal at the beginning,” Medvedev admitted to the ATP website.
“If he plays like he did in the first set of every match, he will be Top 5 by the end of the year, in Turin… When you’re young, it’s tough to play a full match like this, so I just fought. I’m happy that I managed to seal the victory.”
Sinner will use the forehand to dictate play and will need to raise his first serve percentage to have any chance of winning.
Meanwhile, Medvedev will aim to be aggressive on return and will need to start quickly if he wants to win this match.
This will be a testing match for Sinner but the Italian will have too much quality and energy as he continues his historic bid in Rome.
Prediction: Sinner in straight sets.
Luciano Darderi [18] v Casper Ruud [23] | H2H: First Meeting
Three set thrillers, late finishes and consistent tennis has brought Luciano Darderi into a first Masters 1000 semi-final. The 18th seed has done it on home soil as well and his win over Rafael Jodar at two o’clock in the morning will give him confidence that he can go all the way. Standing in his way is Casper Ruud as the former Roland Garros battled past the rain and Karen Khachanov in three sets to reach the semi-finals.
H2H & Match FundamentalsLuciano Darderi [18] v Casper Ruud [23]H2H: First Meeting Rome 2026 Rome, Italy Clay (O) Prize Money: €297,550First on Campo Centrale (14:30 BST)Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
An incredible week for Darderi who defeated Alexander Zverev on his way to a first Masters 1000 semi-final.
Motivated by his home crowd, Darderi is aiming to set up an all Italian final by continuing his confident tennis.
Next up for Darderi is former Roland Garros finalist Ruud who has played clinical tennis on his way to the semi-finals.
The Norwegian will be hoping this form can continue as he bids to reach a first Rome final in what will be his fourth attempt.
Speaking ahead of the semi-finals, Darderi hailed his quarter-final win as the best of his career so far.
“I think it’s the best win of my career because of the crowd and everything here in Rome,” Darderi told the ATP website.
“First time in the semi-finals, it’s a dream to play here. Rafa is an amazing player. He’s so young, just 19 years old. I had my chance in the second set, then he played just amazing. But I kept fighting and I am very happy about that.”
Meanwhile, Ruud was happy with the quality he produced in the quarter-finals to reach his fourth Rome semi-final.
“I was happy with the win,” Ruud told the ATP website.
“A little down period in the second after the rain, but I am proud of the first and third sets. The quality I played with in the first and third sets is some of the best I have felt on court recently. I am not quite sure what happened in the second set but I let myself go and tried to focus on the third set and luckily that worked.”
Darderi will aim to use the forehand to open up space on the courts as he will aim to take away Ruud’s power.
Meanwhile, Ruud will aim to be aggressive on serve and use the backhand to accelerate the pace of the rallies and force Darderi into deeper positions on the court.
This will be a hard-fought contest with Ruud’s experience and quality edging him into a first Rome final.
Prediction: Ruud in three sets.
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