Holger Rune’s rise and Novak Djokovic’s struggles continued simultaneously in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Wednesday afternoon.
Rune took down the No. 1 seed 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 after two hours and 19 minutes to set up a semifinal showdown against either not-so-friendly rival Casper Ruud or dangerous Argentine Francisco Cerundolo. Now, though, Rune will have a day off to enjoy what was a second consecutive victory over Djokovic.
The 20-year-old had previously stunned Djokovic in the final of the Paris Masters this past fall. This result–although another upset–was far less surprising. After all, Rune is 26-9 this season and has soared to No. 7 in the world. He has already reached one Masters 1000 final (Monte-Carlo) and is one win away from another.
Armed with a ton of confidence, Rune right from the start played Wednesday’s match like he believe he should win. The Dane’s aggressive tennis was way too good for Djokovic in both the first and third sets, and in the second he was derailed only by an incorrect call from chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani in addition to an ill-timed rain delay while serving at 4-5. Following an hour break, Djokovic came back out and broke right away to force a third. But the 35-year-old Serb was never competitive in the decider, falling behind 5-1 and then bowing out after failing to convert a break chance with Rune serving at 5-2.
“It’s really a big win for me,” Rune assured. “Obviously I did it last year in Paris as well, but every match is a huge challenge for me when I play against Novak. He’s one of the greatest that’s ever played the game. I knew I had to be at my best and I said it yesterday, and I was today. I’m super proud of myself and I enjoyed every moment out there.
“I know at the end, when Novak goes into this mode (at the end of the second set), nothing can come at him and he plays really free and aggressive. When you want to close the match, it’s really difficult. He puts a lot of pressure on you, but I managed to hit some good shots and stay brave. That was the most important.
“I think I was a little less brave in the second set but after the rain delay, I managed to come out and be brave even though I lost the set. I just told myself, ‘Okay, it’s all right, I just have to keep going.'”
As for Djokovic, he now goes to the French Open on a string of three clay-court losses. The current world No. 1 also fell to Lorenzo Musetti in the Monte-Carlo third round and to Dusan Lajovic in the Banja Luka quarterfinals.
Only saw some of match but thought Novak was very poor. Constantly frustrated and yelling because he just couldn’t play well. Shadow of player he was at AO and wtf.
I do think this affects his ability to win RG. He is just not playing well. Could even lose early. Looks vulnerable.
Great analysis RD
Nole obviously lacks motivation after the most important win of his life, AO 23, besides, he won Rome 6 times but never won FO after winning Rome.
In the absence of his major motivation, playing against Rafa or Roger, it’s very hard to motivate himself playing against the players 15 years his juniors?
Is he one of the favourites to win FO, certainly not, can he do it, you bet he can.
Last but not least, he lacks CC coach, Goran is for the grass and HC, Vajda was CC coach, he played last two CC seasons without Vajda and we can see results?