Italian Open 2023: Rune Knocks Out Djokovic, Medvedev, Ruud, and Tsitsipas Battle for Final Spot

Four players are left in the 2023 Italian Open, with Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas all looking for a spot in Sunday’s final at the Foro Italico.

In Wednesday’s quarter-finals, Holger Rune took out top seed Novak Djokovic in an impressive performance, backing up his win against the Serb in last year’s Paris Master Final.

Casper Ruud avenged his straight-sets loss in Barcelona by defeating Francisco Cerundolo in two close sets to make his third Rome semi-final.

On Thursday, Daniil Medvedev comfortably saw off qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets to further add to his impressive 2023 season, including 37 victories and just five losses.

Stefanos Tsitsipas then completed the semi-final lineup with an impressive win against Borna Coric to level their H2H at 3-3.

Italian Open 2023 Quarter Final Results

Winner
Loser
Scoreline

Holger Rune (7)
Novak Djokovic (1)
6-2 4-6 6-2

Casper Ruud (4)
Francisco Cerundolo (24)
7-6(5) 6-4

Daniil Medvedev (3)
Yannick Hanfmann (Q)
6-2 6-2

Stefanos Tsitsipas (5)
Borna Coric (15)
6-3 6-4

Rune Knocks Out Novak

rune rome

Holger Rune is fast becoming a thorn in Novak Djokovic’s side, having beaten him at the Paris Masters last year and now in Rome with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory.

Djokovic started his service game with an ace, and I thought that might set the tone, but he was broken immediately and never really settled in the damp conditions that have plagued Rome over the last week.

On the other hand, Rune thrived, causing Djokovic problems as the Serb could not find a way past him. Rune’s return of serve was also essential, allowing him to get on top in the rally early.

Match Stats

Novak Djokovic
Holger Rune

Aces
4
3

Double Faults
3
2

First Serve
47/77 (61%)
44/78 (56%)

1st Serve Points Won
29/47 (62%)
34/44 (77%)

2nd Serve Points Won
14/30 (47%)
17/34 (50%)

Break Points Saved
5/10 (50%)
3/5 (60%)

Service Games Played
13
13

1st Serve Return Points Won
10/44 (23%)
18/47 (38%)

2nd Serve Return Points Won
17/34 (50%)
16/30 (53%)

Break Points Converted
2/5 (40%)
5/10 (50%)

Return Games Played
13
13

Net Points Won
21/36 (58%)
10/18 (56%)

Winners
25
27

Unforced Errors
18
4

Service Points Won
43/77 (56%)
51/78 (65%)

Return Points Won
27/78 (35%)
34/77 (44%)

Total Points Won
70/155 (45%)
85/155 (55%)

Highlights

Ruud Rallies Past Cerundolo

ruud rome

Casper Ruud is into his third Italian Open quarter-final after defeating Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(5), 6-4 in the second quarter-final on Wednesday.

Ruud has always played well in Rome, and he put in another solid performance here, coming through a close first-set tiebreak and then breaking at 4-4 in the second set to edge through.

Cerundolo had won his last two matches against the Norwegian, and while he made him work for the win, many of his 47 unforced errors came in the more significant moments allowing Ruud to go through.

Match Stats

Casper Ruud
Francisco Cerundolo

Aces
4
2

Double Faults
2
6

First Serve
40/71 (56%)
61/95 (64%)

1st Serve Points Won
31/40 (78%)
41/61 (67%)

2nd Serve Points Won
16/31 (52%)
13/34 (38%)

Break Points Saved
2/4 (50%)
11/14 (79%)

Service Games Played
11
11

1st Serve Return Points Won
20/61 (33%)
9/40 (23%)

2nd Serve Return Points Won
21/34 (62%)
15/31 (48%)

Break Points Converted
3/14 (21%)
2/4 (50%)

Return Games Played
11
11

Net Points Won
10/19 (53%)
11/15 (73%)

Winners
19
33

Unforced Errors
11
23

Service Points Won
47/71 (66%)
54/95 (57%)

Return Points Won
41/95 (43%)
24/71 (34%)

Total Points Won
88/166 (53%)
78/166 (47%)

Highlights

Medvedev Makes Maiden Rome Semi-Final

medvedev rome

Daniil Medvedev won his first match in Rome less than a week ago, and he’s now into the semi-finals thanks to a 6-2, 6-2 win over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann.

Hanfmann has been in great form during the clay court swing, and the scoreline here is somewhat misleading as Hanfmann created many half chances on the return, but Medvedev was in no mood to let any points go, chasing down a ton of balls and forcing the German to make one more ball time and time again.

I said before the tournament I was feeling really great in practice. It is always dangerous to say this if you lose the first round and think, ‘Why did I say this’. But I am feeling great. The transition from Grand Stand to Centre Court was not easy. He struggled more than me, and I am happy with the win and being in the semis. I knew I had to put as many balls into the court as possible because he plays aggressively. There aren’t going to be many points where you dictate; it will be mainly him. But you have to play deep and try and make him miss. Maybe he didn’t play his best match, but that is how it works; you can’t play your best match every day, and I am happy I could neutralise his attacking style. Medvedev on his Rome tournament so far.

Match Stats

Yannick Hanfmann
Daniil Medvedev

Aces
0
8

Double Faults
0
7

First Serve
34/48 (71%)
38/68 (56%)

1st Serve Points Won
11/34 (32%)
28/38 (74%)

2nd Serve Points Won
8/14 (57%)
11/30 (37%)

Break Points Saved
4/10 (40%)
4/6 (67%)

Service Games Played
8
8

1st Serve Return Points Won
10/38 (26%)
23/34 (68%)

2nd Serve Return Points Won
19/30 (63%)
6/14 (43%)

Break Points Converted
2/6 (33%)
6/10 (60%)

Return Games Played
8
8

Net Points Won
18/32 (56%)
9/20 (45%)

Winners
19
23

Unforced Errors
14
13

Service Points Won
19/48 (40%)
39/68 (57%)

Return Points Won
29/68 (43%)
29/48 (60%)

Total Points Won
48/116 (41%)
68/116 (59%)

Highlights

Tstisipas

tsitsipas

Borna Coric usually gives Stefanos Tsitsipas a tough time, but he levelled their H2H at 3-3 with a 6-3 6-4 win.

Tsitsipas played a very clean match, and although he relinquished his break of serve in the second, he regrouped instantly to rebreak and served out the match in impressive fashion.

The Greek’s serve and forehand were particularly potent, winning 90% of points behind his first serve and saving three of four break points; he will face Medvedev in the last four.