Italian Open: Holger Rune rallies past Casper Ruud into final – Times of India

Sports

By Adam D Anglo On May 20, 2023

Holger Rune showcased his unwavering determination as he rallied from a set and break down to secure a remarkable 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-2 victory over world number four Casper Ruud in an absorbing all-Scandinavian Italian Open semi-final.
Reflecting on his stunning comeback, Rune said, “I told myself at this moment I had nothing to lose, he’s probably going to win the match. So I told myself to play free and enjoy myself as it would probably be my last set here.”
The French and U.S. Open runner-up, Ruud, initially gained the upper hand, clinching a tightly contested first set with his powerful forehand, which yielded an impressive tally of 22 winners. As Ruud secured a break in the second set to take a 4-2 lead, it appeared he was firmly on course for a spot in the final.

However, Rune’s resolve remained unshaken, and a minor shoulder issue prompted him to take a medical timeout. Surprisingly, this interruption seemed to disrupt Ruud’s rhythm, as the Norwegian, who recently triumphed in Estoril, faltered, allowing Rune to break his serve twice and force a decisive third set.
Seizing the momentum, Rune capitalised on a double-fault from Ruud, securing a crucial break and establishing a commanding 3-1 lead in the final set. The 20-year-old Dane continued to assert his dominance, never looking back as he sealed a memorable victory over Ruud, their first meeting resulting in Rune’s favour after four previous encounters.
Elated with his performance, Rune expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I really played some of my best tennis, especially in the matches against Novak and Casper. Such difficult players to play against. I had to find my best tennis, and I actually didn’t find it today until the end. That’s why I turned it around.”

As the Italian Open continued, the second semi-final featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev commenced after a brief rain delay, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the tournament.
In the women’s final scheduled for later on Saturday, the Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina is set to face off against Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina. Tennis fans eagerly await the thrilling conclusion of the Italian Open, with high-stakes matches promising captivating performances.
(With inputs from Reuters)

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