Djokovic is eliminated against Rune in the Masters 1000 in Rome

The Danish Holger Rune gave the bell this Wednesday after beating the Serbian Novak Djokovic in three sets of intense battle, 6-2, 4-6 and 6-2, after two hours and fifteen minutes of the match, which left without a clear favorite this Masters 1000 of Rome

The Norwegian, number 7 in the world, blended into the Roman climate and became a storm for Djokovic throughout the match. The first set struck him down in 39 minutes after an almost perfect stake that put the favorite and defender of the Italian crown on the ropes.

He started breaking, saved two 'break' balls and maintained the level throughout the duel, in which he had a set point before making it 1-0.

But in front was Djokovic. Decreased by discomfort in the waist and in one elbow, but after all it was about Djokovic. Both, by the way, requested medical assistance and at some point during the match they vehemently protested the referee's decisions.. It was the only thing they agreed on on a center court with a very tense atmosphere.

That tension did not calm down after the stoppage caused by the rain, which meant that the game had to be suspended for more than an hour, when 'Nole' had the set in his hand.

A second sleeve that had to be worked on, like the rest that he has played in Rome so far, in which he has not exhibited that facility and solvency that he is used to. He took the Dane's serve and went 5-2 up, with everything up front, but gave up service and Rune stalked a comeback (5-4 with serve) that put out the number two on the circuit with another 'break'.

The tense match inevitably led to a third set in which the semifinals were on the line.. When everything indicated that it would be the figure of Belgrade who would emerge to dispel doubts in one of his favorite tournaments, the young Rune appeared to turn the appointment upside down and leave it orphaned with clear favourites, now without Alcaraz and without Djokovic.

He did it big too. With two 'breaks' in a row and maintaining his serve, placing himself 4-0 up and leaving the audience speechless, who waited for a reaction from 'Nole' that did not come.

Rune, although with effort and saving a breaking ball, managed to hold serve and seal a well-deserved victory, the second in a row against the Serbian, whom he already beat in Paris at the end of 2022. At the moment, one-on-one, the Dane is one of the few who can say that he has more wins (2) than losses (1) against Djokovic.

In the semifinals, Rune will face the winner of the duel between the Norwegian Casper Ruud and the Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo.