ROME – Italian tennis player, Jannik Sinner, has made history by becoming the first Italian man to reach number one in the ATP tennis world rankings.

 Sinner, 22, from South Tirol, beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-2,6-4, 7-6 to reach the semi finals of the Roland Garros grand slam in Paris.

 Djokovic’s withdrawal from tournament, due to a knee injury, meant that Sinner was guaranteed enough points to make history and claim the number one spot, regardless of his finish. This will be reflected when the world rankings update on Monday. 

 The Italian started the year off in fourth place, but after victory at the Australian Open followed by wins at various ATP 500 tournaments, he quickly rose through the ranks.

 However, this rise was briefly thrown in doubt at the end of April when he withdrew from tournaments in Monaco and Rome due to injury.

 Describing the achievement as a “dream”, Sinner is hoping to claim another tournament win. He faces Carlos Alcaraz, who stopped the Italian’s path to victory in Miami, on Friday in the semi-final.