Sinner downs Dimitrov to make semis, top ranking assured after Djokovic pullout

PARIS :Italian Jannik Sinner stepped up his bid for a second Grand Slam title by securing a 6-2 6-4 7-6(3) victory over Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday to reach the French Open semi-finals, minutes after it was confirmed he would be the new world number one.

Although he didn't know it at the time, the second seed will take top spot in the rankings on Monday regardless of who wins the French Open after defending champion Novak Djokovic pulled out with a knee injury before his quarter-final match.

Djokovic's withdrawal will mean that 22-year-old Sinner will become the first Italian player to take the number one spot since the ATP rankings were first published 51 years ago.

"What can I say? First of all it's every player's dream to be number one. On the other hand, seeing Novak retiring here is, for everyone, disappointing. I wish him a quick recovery," Sinner said amid applause from the crowd.

"I try not to think much about this. This is a tournament I used to struggle a lot, especially the last two years. I'm happy to be in the semi-finals.

"It's a special moment for me. I'm very happy to share this with you guys (the fans) and everyone at home watching from Italy."

Sinner has a perfect record in Grand Slams this year but a trickier test could be on the cards for the Australian Open champion, however, as he faces a potential clash against fellow young gun Carlos Alcaraz who meets Stefanos Tsitsipas later.

Sinner tested Dimitrov's backhand early in the contest on Philippe Chatrier and the lanky 22-year-old got a double break over his 10th-seeded opponent en route to take the opening set without getting out of second gear.

A searing crosscourt forehand winner set up break point at the start of the next and Sinner held firm to edge