This Saturday, in the semi-final of the Masters 1000 in Rome, Holger Rune overthrew Casper Ruud (6-7, 6-4, 6-2) and will face the winner of the match between Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
Definitely, the ocher surface suits him rather well. Finalist in Monte-Carlo and winner in Munich in recent weeks, Holger Rune will play this Sunday in Rome the third final of his young career in Masters 1000, at only 20 years old. Indeed, in the semi-finals, the Dane was stunning to overcome Casper Ruud with a victory in three sets (6-7, 6-4, 6-2) at the key and 2h43 of play. However, this Saturday, the current 7th in the world in the ATP rankings initially struggled to exist at Foro Italico.
Unable to worry the Norwegian on his face-offs, Rune then completely broke down during the decisive game (lost 7-2), during which he was quickly led 5-0. Worse, afterwards, the young Dane was broken at the start of the second set at 2-2. The obviously ideal moment for him to call on a physiotherapist and return with other intentions to Roman clay. Because, if Ruud confirmed his break to lead 4-2, the winner of the Rolex Paris Masters last year was then impressive and won the next four games (6-4). What allow him to pick up a sleeve everywhere.
Rune in great shape before Roland-Garros
On his way, the protege of Patrick Mouratoglou has not weakened, quite the contrary. During this first semi-final of the Masters 1000 in Rome, if Ruud gradually struggled to hold the shock, Rune finished strong. After a first break, at 2-1, to take control of this third and final set, the world number 7 finished in style by taking the Norwegian’s service one last time, at 5-2. Stunning, the Dane will therefore be present this Sunday in the final at Foro Italico, where he will challenge the winner of the clash between the Russian Daniil Medvedev and the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Apart from Madrid, where he was surprised in the 3rd round by the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Rune is having a very good season on clay and could confirm his great form at the moment in the event of a title in the Italian capital. While he will be at least 6th in the world this Monday, the native of Gentofte will have serious arguments to put forward at Roland-Garros, from next May 28. His competitors are warned, after his quarter-final last year in Paris, the Dane has the weapons to do even better this year.
