ATP Rome: Holger Rune edges Casper Ruud and reaches final

The 20-year-old Holger Rune will compete in his second Masters 1000 final in Rome. Holger took down fellow Scandinavian Casper Ruud 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 for a place in the title clash against Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas. Ruud claimed the opener and led 4-2 in the second set, moving closer to the finish line. Rune took a medical timeout and increased the pace with his forehand. The younger player claimed four straight games to steal the set and had the upper hand in the decider to remain on the title course. Holger delivered impressive numbers behind the second serve and defended five out of six break points. He overcame the deficit and seized all four break points to forge the advantage and bring the victory home. The Dane fired 38 winners and 25 unforced errors, dominating with his forehand and taming the rival’s serve and forehand in the second part of the clash. Holger denied three break points in the opening set and stayed in touch with his opponent until the tie break.

Holger Rune ousted Casper Ruud in the Rome Masters semi-final.

Casper served well, dropping ten points behind the initial shot and dominating the breaker to forge the advantage. The Dane held after deuces in the encounter’s second game to avoid early break points before the Norwegian held at 15 in the next one for 2-1. The 20-year-old experienced three break points in the sixth game, and he stayed calm and denied them with powerful and precise hitting. The returners had no more chances in the rest of the clash, with six fine holds that introduced a tie break. Casper had the upper hand, earning three mini-breaks and firing a service winner at 6-2 to wrap up the set in 69 minutes.

Ruud pushed strong on the return in the second set’s fifth game and grabbed a break after Rune’s loose forehand. Holger asked for a medical timeout on his right hand and shoulder, playing much better after that and never looking back! The Dane pulled the break back in game eight after the Norwegian’s poor backhand, leveling the score at 4-4 and gaining a boost. Holger saved break points in the ninth game and earned a break at love in game ten to clinch the set 6-4 and become the favorite ahead of the decider. The Dane barely lost a point in his games in the final set. The pressure was on the Norwegian, and he could not follow that pace. Ruud hit a dobule fault in the fourth game to lose serve and fall 3-1 behind. Rune served well and grabbed another break at 5-2 to emerge at the top and reach the title clash.