Jannik Sinner overcomes illness concerns to extend streak and set up Zverev semi-final

The world No 2 secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the seventh seed on Friday at the Monte Carlo Country Club, extending his winning streak in Masters 1000 events to 20 matches. Sinner broke once in each set and saved the only break point he faced.

The Italian had shown signs of illness in his previous match against Tomas Machac, but appeared improved against Auger-Aliassime.

"Yeah, I feel like a step forward today, it was a very, very tough match, I knew that I had to get better in certain areas," said Sinner.

"The serve is not there yet, where I would love to, but all things considered, I'm very happy.

"Yesterday, I was very tired. I recovered very good in this night's sleep and let's see what's coming tomorrow, but in any case, very happy to be in the semis."

Sinner also highlighted his aggressive approach on key points, including a crucial overhead used to convert a break point in the second set.

"I feel like on these shots, when you start with the intention to hit, I don't doubt. I'd rather miss and go for it than hoping at times," Sinner replied.

"It is a shot where we try to improve. It is a shot we are working on a lot, even though from outside it seems always an easy shot, the smash, but it's definitely not.

"Today, the weather with the clouds... I feel like a bit more confident to hit the serve, when it's blue sky, for example, I'm someone who struggles a bit more.

"But yeah, happy that I made it, and now knowing that [the shot was going out], it was a key moment, for sure (laughs)."

Sinner will next face world No 3 Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, marking the third consecutive Masters 1000 meeting between the pair at this stage.

Zverev booked his place in the last four with a 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-3 victory over Joao Fonseca, though the German admitted his performance was far from perfect.

"I don't think it was still a great match to be honest, from both of us," Zverev said.

"But as I said, this is the first week on clay for all of us; it's not going to be easy, it's not going to be the prettiest tennis.

"How I won, I'm in the semi-finals, I'm super happy about that. I feel like the best set of tennis was a third set for me, so that shows improvement.

"And again, that's the most important thing this week to show improvement, to find also my aggressive game a bit more, because I'm struggling a little bit more on clay than I was on hard courts with that, but overall, I'm in the semis, and I'm happy about it.

"It's about rhythm a little bit. I feel like I'm still mistiming quite a few balls, but again, I'm in the semi-finals. I'm very happy about that.

"I'd much rather mistime a few and be in the semis than be perfect and lose first round, you know? So, again, it's about improving.

"I feel like it's going to be hopefully a good clay-court season for me, but yeah, there still needs to be improvements made."

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