Jannik Sinner dropped a set against Tomas Machac, but recovered to take his place in the Monte-Carlo Masters quarter-finals.

Sinner, who is aiming to usurp Carlos Alcaraz as world number one, had not dropped a set in 18 ATP Masters 1000-level matches heading into Thursday's tie.

However, Machac took the second set to force a decider, with Sinner ultimately prevailing 6-1 6-7 (3-7) 6-3.

Fifteen unforced errors from Sinner caused a wobble in the second set, with Machac capitalising via a tie-break.

Yet Sinner regained his composure in the decider, teeing up a quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Sinner is a two-time semi-finalist in Monaco, but he has never won the event.

Data Debrief: Sinner's historic streak comes to an end

Sinner had won a remarkable 37 sets in a row at this level, which is the longest run in the history of the format.

Since the format’s introduction in 1990, Sinner is the fifth player to claim 19 consecutive ATP Masters 1000 match wins after Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. 

Indeed, the Italian is now 14-0 at Masters 1000 events this season. He joins Sampras, Djokovic and Federer on the list of the only players to open a campaign with 14 wins from as many matches in the format.

Sinner is aiming to become just the second player to win the Miami Open and Monte-Carlo Masters in the same season, after Djokovic (2015).