Sinner continues unbeaten start to season with quarter-final win against Lehecka

Jannik Sinner recorded a comfortable victory against Jiri Lehecka in the Indian Wells quarter-finals to continue his unbeaten start to the season.

The world No. 3 won his 19th match in a row since losing to Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals in November.

He is undefeated in 16 matches in 2024, during which he has earned his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and triumphed at the Rotterdam Open.

At 22 years old, Sinner has become the youngest male player in the Open era to start a season with 16 successive victories.

He is on track to clinch his third title of the year after beating Lehecka 6-3 6-3 in windy conditions.

The Italian broke early in each set and remained in control throughout the encounter, making 13 unforced errors to Lehecka’s 35.

The match was wrapped up in one hour and 25 minutes, setting Sinner up for a semi-final clash against either defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev.

“I am very pleased becasue the situation on court was different,” Sinner told the ATP. “In the morning it was really windy and in the first set it was tough to handle the situation.

“He is an incredible player and has huge potential, so I was aware of every point that I made.

“In the other way I am just happy because I made the semi-finals last year and this year I have a chance to play in the semis again.

“It is one of the greatest tournaments that we have in the whole year, so I am really happy and pleased.”

Tommy Paul battled to beat Casper Ruud 6-2 1-6 6-3, reaching the semi-finals of a ATP Masters tournament for the second time in his career.

The American will meet the winner of the quarter-final between Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune.