The pair remain on course for a first meeting this year, with

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz both enjoyed straightforward wins at the Monte-Carlo Masters to progress to the semi-finals, with a first meeting of the season between tennis’ dominant two players still on the cards.

Sinner’s historic unbeaten run of 37 consecutive sets won at a Masters 1000 tournament came to an end in the fourth round in Monaco, when he dropped a set to Tomas Mahac, but he was back on his usual form in the quarter-finals.

The world No 2 swept aside Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 to book a last-four clash against Alexander Zverev , who overcame Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca in three sets.

Sinner has beaten Zverev in their last seven meetings, including twice already this year.

“I feel like it was a step forwards today,” said Sinner, compared to his three-set win over Machac.

“It was a very tough match.

I knew I had to get better in certain areas.

The serve is not there yet, where I would love it [to be], but all things considered I’m very happy.

“Yesterday I was very tired.

I recovered very well in this night’s sleep.

Let’s see what’s coming tomorrow, but in any case, very happy to be back in the semis.”
The Italian’s win over Auger-Aliassime means he has now won 20 consecutive matches at Masters tournaments - the level below grand slams - joining only Novak Djokovic , Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as men to reach that milestone.

On the other side of the draw, world No 1 Alcaraz booked his place in the semi-finals with a straightforward 6-3, 6-0 win over eighth seed Alexander Bublik.

The defending champion, who beat Lorenzo Musetti to win the title for the first time last year, will play either fifth seed Alex de Minaur or local hero Valentin Vacherot in the last four on Saturday.

“I started the match pretty well,” he said said.

“I had points to be two breaks up and didn't make it and then I lost a bit of the feeling on the ball.

I had to run side to side a lot, had to defend and then a few games gave me a lot of confidence in the match.

“I was playing aggressively and I played a great and solid match against a player that you don't know what they will produce next.

I am happy to get through and to play another semi-final here.”
Both Alcaraz and Sinner are aiming for their third trophy of the season, with the Spaniard having won the Australian Open in January and the ATP 500 in Doha before Sinner won the first two Masters tournaments of the year in Indian Wells and Miami.

Should Sinner seal the Monte-Carlo trophy on Sunday he will replace his rival as the world No 1.

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