Italian Open: Janic Ciner breaks Novak Djokovic’s record at ATP Masters 1000 event

Cena has won 45 of his past 47 matches in all tournaments since his last loss at the Masters 1000 tournament, when he was forced to retire in his third-round match in Shanghai.

He has won at that level this year in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo and Madrid, winning 64 of 66 sets during his record-breaking run, following a win in Paris in November.

With his victory in Madrid earlier this month, he became the first player in history to win five consecutive Masters 1000 titles – just two weeks later he reached sixth.

And so, while the record may not be at the forefront of his mind, his achievements continue to draw comparisons with the greats.

Overall, he has claimed 121 wins from 150 matches at the ATP 1000 level, with only 22-time major winner Nadal (123) boasting a better record since the format’s introduction in 1990.

He will now look for two more wins to try to become the first Italian men’s singles champion in Rome since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago.