Sinner ends Bublik's run, returns to Roland Garros SFs

Jannik Sinner equalled his best Roland Garros result on Wednesday, when he ended Alexander Bublik’s run to become the first Italian man in history to reach six major semi-finals.

The Italian raced out of the blocks to storm ahead on Court Philippe-Chatrier, then used his clean timing to redirect Bublik’s power, sealing a 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 victory in one hour and 48 minutes. The No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings has won his past 19 matches at majors, having lifted trophies at the US Open and the Australian Open.

"We played a couple times already, so you know a little bit what to expect," Sinner said. "But in another way, with him, you never know what is happening. He deserved to be in the quarter-finals, he beat very tough opponents. I tried to stay focused from my side of the court and play as solid as possible as he can have some ups and downs. I am trying to serve very well in important moments, which I have done."

Sinner soars through 🚀

He hurries past Bublik 6-1 7-5 6-0 to secure his spot in the SFs 🔥#rolandgarros #sinner pic.twitter.com/yeHvUcb7so

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 4, 2025

Chasing a maiden Roland Garros crown, Sinner will meet Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. The 23-year-old is level at 4-4 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Djokovic but trails Zverev 3-4.

Sinner, currently 17-1 on the season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, joins countryman Lorenzo Musetti in the last four. It is the first time in the Open Era two Italian men have reached the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam even. In 1960, Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola advanced to last four in Paris.

"Against this kind of player, you have to be consistent because if you make a lot of mistakes, it is a game where if we both serve very well, there is already not so many rallies. I tried to get rhythm with the rallies," Sinner said on his win against Bublik. "I am very happy and happy with how I arrived in the semi-finals. Semi-finals in Grand Slams are very special, so I am looking forward to it."

Sinner, who on Monday began his 52nd consecutive week at No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, lost in the semi-finals to Carlos Alcaraz last year in the French capital but has gone from strength to strength since.

The top-seeded Italian won five titles in the second half of last season, including the US Open and the Nitto ATP Finals. He started 2025 by triumphing at the Australian Open and then reached the final at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. He is yet to drop a set this fortnight in the French capital.

Bublik was competing in the quarter-finals at a major for the first time, having produced a stunning performance to upset fifth seed Jack Draper in the quarter-finals. In his fifth meeting with Sinner, the 27-year-old showed signs of nerves in the first set and played passively, hitting six winners and committing eight unforced errors, with the Italian taking early control.

However, the Kazakhstani improved in the second set to cause Sinner issues. Bublik used the drop shot effectively to pull the Italian out of position and opened his shoulders to hit through the court. Sinner refused to waver, though, soaking up pressure from deep behind the baseline before he gained the crucial break of the set in the 11th game to pull further clear.

Sinner was too consistent in the third set, hitting with aggression and precise depth to take control of the baseline exchanges and improve to 4-1 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Bublik, who also defeated Top 10 star Alex de Minaur in the second round, leaves Paris up 19 spots at No. 43 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.