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The young Dane Holger Rune ousted the defending champion Novak Djokovic in the Rome Masters quarter-final. Holger scored a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 triumph in two hours and 19 minutes for a place in the semi-final. Novak did not at his best, struggling physically and gathering dark clouds over his Roland Garros preparation.
Rune lost serve two times and scored five breaks from ten opportunities to overpower the world's best player and remain on the title course. Holger served at only 30% in the opening set. However, he dropped only six points behind the initial shot, defending both break points and keeping the pressure on the other side.
The young Dane stole almost half of the points on Djokovic's serve and converted them into two breaks from three opportunities for a convincing start. Holger attacked in the encounter's first game and grabbed a break with a backhand down the line winner.
Holger Rune scored his second win over Novak Djokovic in Rome.
The young gun denied two break points in the second game to confirm the break and held after Novak's mistake for 2-0. Djokovic reduced the deficit with a hold at love in game three after a forehand winner before Holger opened a 3-1 gap with a backhand crosscourt winner.
Novak sprayed a forehand error in the fifth game to experience another break and fall 4-1 behind. The Serb saved a set point on serve in game seven to prolong the set before the Dane held with a service winner in the next one for 6-2 in 38 minutes.
Novak raised his level in the second set and broke from 40-15 down in the sixth game to open a 4-2 gap. Djokovic served for the set at 5-3 and sprayed a forehand error to lose serve and keep Rune in contention. The Serb won the opening two points on the return in game ten before the rain sent them off the court.
They returned an hour later, and Novak broke at love with a forehand winner to wrap up the set and force a decider. Holger made a fresh start in the final set and grabbed a break in the opening game. Not feeling at his best and spraying too many mistakes, Djokovic experienced another break in the third game to fall 3-0 behind and move further away from the finish line.
Rune held after deuce in the fourth game to extend the gap, and Djokovic reduced the deficit with a service winner in the next one. Holger served for the victory at 5-2 and held at 30 to emerge at the top and secure his second victory over Novak.
The defending champion dre the rival's backhand error to create a break chance. Rune denied it with a forced error and created a match point with a service winner. Novak sprayed a forehand error to propel the opponent over the top and hit the exit door.
