This was Jannik Sinner's 50th victory as the ATP's top-ranked player, in just his 53rd outing as the world number one. Since the ATP rankings were first published in 1973, that is the joint-fewest matches required to reach 50 wins as the world number one,

Jannik Sinner passed a big test in his return from a three-month doping ban, beating accomplished clay-court player Francisco Cerundolo on Tuesday to reach the Italian Open quarterfinals.

The world No. 1 was rusty on his first match back after three months away. His Italian Open draw means he cannot afford to be so for long.