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☆ Wimbledon: Underarm serve backfires as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina loses to Holger Rune
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina opted for an underarm serve at a crucial point in his third-round Wimbledon match against Holger Rune on Saturday. Rune, the 20-year-old sixth seed, comfortably dealt with the ball – hitting a fierce return winner for match point, eventually clinching an entertaining 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 (10-8) win. Davidovich Fokina returns the ball to Rune during their men's singles match. That was very unexpected, for sure,” the Dane, who had saved two match points, told reporters afterwards. I thought that I would trust my serve and go big, also like I did in the match points, the match point I saved.

Persons: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Holger Rune, Rune, Davidovich Fokina, Adrian Dennis, Dane, “, Michael Regan, ” Rune, Frances Tiafoe, Grigor Dimitrov Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Getty, Reuters Locations: AFP

☆ Alcaraz passes test at Wimbledon, Rybakina on fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

In the men's draw, third seed Daniil Medvedev and fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas both swept through while 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini set up a showdown with Alcaraz. With the big-serving Berrettini up next, Alcaraz, who was a break down in the fourth set, said Saturday's test was just what he needed. Rybakina ensured a demoralising 48 hours for Britain as she demolished Katie Boulter 6-1 6-1 to end home hopes in the singles. But she lasted only 57 minutes as Kazakhstan's Rybakina sent out an ominous warning to those wanting her title. Second seed Sabalenka is also in the groove heading into the second week after a 6-2 6-3 defeat of Anna Blinkova.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, Toby Melville LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Petra Kvitova, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos, Matteo Berrettini, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, Berrettini, Alexander Zverev, Medvedev, Hungary's Marton Fucsovics, Rybakina, Katie Boulter, Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, Liam Broady, Kazakhstan's Rybakina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sorana, Maria Bueno, Anna Blinkova, Canada's Bianca Andreescu, Serbia's, Holger Rune, Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Rune, Christopher Eubanks, Chris O'Connell, Tsitsipas, Martyn Herman, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Chile's, Wimbledon, Queen's, Court, Serbian, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarusian, Ukraine, U.S, Berlin

☆ Underarm serve backfires on Davidovich Fokina as Rune prevails in five-set epic
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rune celebrated and Davidovich Fokina gestured towards his box. Rune, who saved two match points in the final set, won the next point when his opponent found the net on match point. Actually it was nice, because he was serving unbelievable," sixth seed Rune said of the underarm serve. Davidovich Fokina had looked solid on serve throughout so his decision was all the more baffling. Both players revelled in the atmosphere with Davidovich Fokina joining the fans in a Mexican wave from his seat when rain briefly stopped play.

Persons: Holger Rune, Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Dylan Martinez, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Fokina, Davidovich Fokina, Rune, Dane, I've, Jiri Vesely, Rune's, Rohith Nair, Clare Fallon Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Dylan Martinez LONDON, Wimbledon, whacking, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ Rune sails through after rain-delayed win
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Christian Radnedge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) - Holger Rune sailed through to the second round of Wimbledon for the first time with a 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2 victory over British wildcard George Loffhagen in a rain-delayed match on Wednesday. However, Rune's precision and accuracy secured him the first set on a tiebreak before the match was suspended. The Briton did get on the scoreboard and clawed some games back with the help of five aces, but Rune was too good, bringing up three set points with a backhand volley and converting straight away. As the evening drew in, Loffhagen was broken once more and sent a backhand into the net to hand the match to Rune who will face Italy's Matteo Arnaldi or Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round. Reporting by Christian Radnedge, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Holger Rune, George Loffhagen, Dane, Kenneth Carlsen, Loffhagen, Rune, Italy's Matteo Arnaldi, Roberto Carballes Baena, Christian Radnedge, Ed Osmond Organizations: Wimbledon, British, All England Club, 981st, Briton, Thomson Locations: London

☆ Djokovic, Swiatek advance as climate protesters disrupt rain-hit Wimbledon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Earlier, Kostyuk battled from a set down and overcame three rain interruptions to beat eighth seed Sakkari 0-6 7-5 6-2. She became only the third women's player to beat a top-10 seed at Wimbledon in the Open Era after losing the first set 6-0. American world number 10 Frances Tiafoe saw off China's Wimbledon debutant Wu Yibing 7-6(4) 6-3 6-4 before compatriot Taylor Fritz completed a 6-4 2-6 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory over Yannick Hanfmann. Sixth seed Holger Rune sailed through to the second round for the first time with a 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2 victory over British wildcard George Loffhagen. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Serbia's Novak, Australia's Jordan Thompson, Dylan Martinez, Medvedev, Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, Daria Kasatkina, Jodie Burrage, Daniil Medvedev, Arthur Fery, Marta Kostyuk, Maria Sakkari, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dominic Thiem, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Japan's Sho Shimabukuro, Katie Boulter, Australian Daria Saville, Dimitrov, Briton Fery, Arthur, Kostyuk, Frances Tiafoe, Wu Yibing, Taylor Fritz, Yannick Hanfmann, Holger Rune, George Loffhagen, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond, Toby Davis Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, All England Club, Stop Oil, Bulgarian, Security, Briton, British, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Australian, Belarusian, British, Bengaluru

☆ Wimbledon 2023: The favorites to win the championships, the main challengers and how to watch
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Despite struggling for form in the lead up to the French Open, Djokovic found his A-game when it mattered most in Paris and looked largely unstoppable. Lisi Niesner/ReutersRybakina became the first player from Kazakhstan to win a grand slam title after beating Ons Jabeur in three sets in last year’s Wimbledon final, catapulting her to stardom overnight. Belarussian Sabalenka and Poland’s Iga Świątek are joint favorites to win the title alongside Rybakina, according to bookmakers. Sabalenka has three titles to her name this year, including that maiden grand slam in Australia, and has matched her career-high of No. Iga Swiatek is a four-time grand slam champion but is yet to win Wimbledon.

Persons: Novak, Roger Federer’s, –, Björn Borg –, Djokovic, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Garros, Carlos Alcaraz, Susan Mullane, Reuters Alcaraz, Alcaraz, – Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Frances Tiafoe, Julian Finney, Francis Tiafoe, Chile’s Nicolas Jarry, Elena Rybakina, Donna Vekić, hadn’t, Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, Linda Noskova, Lisi Niesner, Reuters Rybakina, Belarussian, Iga, Rybakina, Sabalenka, Aryna Sabalenka, agains Karolina Muchova, Veronika Kudermetova, Świątek, Tatjana Mariana, hasn’t, Joaquim Ferreira, Coco Gauff, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Madison Keys Organizations: CNN — Tennis, All England Club, Wimbledon, Roland, Queen's, USA, Sports, Reuters, Queen’s, Getty, Stuttgart, Eastbourne International, Czech, Stade Roland, Bad, Junior Wimbledon, Bernarda Pera, BBC, ESPN, Tennis Channel Locations: London, Paris, Germany, Wimbledon, Kazakhstan, Australia, United Kingdom

☆ Djokovic to face Cachin in Wimbledon opener, Rybakina up against Rogers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Friday's draw at the All England Club pitched women's top seed Iga Swiatek against China's 33rd-ranked Zhu Lin, a potentially tricky first hurdle for the Pole. Murray could face fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in round two although first Tsitsipas must get passed former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem who has tumbled down the rankings. Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev, a potential semi-final opponent for Alcaraz, returns to Wimbledon with a first round against British wildcard Arthur Fery. The projected women's quarter-finals based on seedings would see Swiatek meet seventh seed Coco Gauff while third seed Rybakina could face Tunisia's Ons Jabeur. Djokovic, bidding for a record-extending 24th Grand Slam title, will face Cachin on Monday while Rybakina plays the traditional Tuesday Centre Court opener for women's defending champions.

Persons: Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Frances Tiafoe, John Sibley, Elena Rybakina, Shelby Rogers, Novak Djokovic, Pedro Cachin, Zhu Lin, Aryna Sabalenka, Hungarian Panna Udvardy, Venus Williams, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Andy Murray, Ryan Peniston, Murray, Stefanos, Dominic Thiem, Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin, Djokovic, Roger Federer's, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, Nick Kyrgios, David Goffin, Daniil Medvedev, Arthur Fery, Jessica Pegula, Holger Rune, Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Cachin, Rybakina, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: U.S, John Sibley LONDON, Wimbledon, Argentina's, All England, China's, Queen's, Belgian, British, Denmark's, Tsitsipas, women's, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarusian, Ukraine, Hungarian, Russian

☆ Alcaraz sets up Queen's final against De Minaur
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In his first ATP Tour final on grass, Alcaraz will face Australian Alex de Minaur who earlier beat Danish second seed Holger Rune 6-3 7-6(2). Should Alcaraz win Sunday's final he would reclaim the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic and would be seeded one at Wimbledon which begins on July 3. He forged an early break ahead in the second set and never looked in danger from that point on. Very happy to make my first final on grass and even more so at Queen's. He is the first Australian to reach the final at the Queen's pre-Wimbledon event since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Sebastian Korda, Peter Cziborra LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Korda, Alex de Minaur, Holger Rune, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, I've, Rafa Nadal, Rune, Minaur, Andy Murray, Lleyton Hewitt, De, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris, Clare Fallon Organizations: Queen's, U.S, Wimbledon, ATP, Eastbourne, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Danish, Wimbledon

☆ Alcaraz makes semi-finals at Queen's with win over Dimitrov
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tennis - ATP 500 - Queen's Club Championships - Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 23, 2023 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his quarter final match against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov Action Images via Reuters/Peter CziborraLONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - Top seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals at the Queen's Club Championships with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Friday as the Spaniard warms up for Wimbledon. "The movement on grass, I try to move easy and move well," Alcaraz told the BBC. I'm playing at such a great level and feeling really, really comfortable playing on grass." He will face big-serving American Sebastian Korda, who beat Briton Cameron Norrie 6-4 7-6(1) to extend his Queen's debut. "I'm playing really well on grass and feeling really comfortable," said Korda.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, Peter Cziborra LONDON, Carlos Alcaraz, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Alcaraz, I'm, American Sebastian Korda, Briton Cameron Norrie, Alex de Minaur, Adrian Mannarino of, De Minaur, Dane Holger Rune, Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Korda, Norrie, I've, Rune, Musetti, He's, Lori Ewing, Ken Ferris Organizations: Queen's, Bulgarian, Wimbledon, BBC, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, American, Adrian Mannarino of France

☆ 2023 French Open men's final: Novak Djokovic on cusp of historic 23rd grand slam as he faces Casper Ruud for title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now, with Federer retired and Nadal injured, Djokovic has an opportunity to stake his own claim in that unending debate and win a record 23rd grand slam title on Sunday at the French Open, surpassing the mark he currently holds with Nadal. Standing in Djokovic’s way is Casper Ruud, who has now reached three of the last five grand slam finals, including last year’s final at Roland Garros where he was dismantled 6-3 6-3 6-0 by Nadal. If Djokovic can win on Sunday, he will also return to the top of the world rankings and become the first male player to win each grand slam tournament at least three times. Casper Ruud was defeated by Nadal in last year's French Open final. That semifinal performance will galvanize Ruud ahead of the final, as he seeks to upset the odds and take a first grand slam title.

Persons: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic –, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Roland Garros, “ I’m, it’s, ” Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Tim Clayton, Corbis, Karen Khachanov, Alcaraz, Djokovic coasted, Ruud, “, Rafa, Novak, ” Ruud, “ I’ve, Lisi Niesner, Reuters “, I’m, Holger Rune, Alexander Zverev, galvanize Ruud Organizations: CNN, tennis, ATP, Djokovic, cramp, Nadal, Guardian, Reuters Locations: Norwegian

☆ Zverev, Swiatek reach French Open semis, heartbreak for Jabeur
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It was the most difficult year of my life," Zverev said of his 2022 season. "I'm happy to be back." "I'm pretty happy to be in the semi-final again," Swiatek said. Jabeur was bidding to reach her third Grand Slam semi-final in less than a year but Haddad Maia produced a superb performance under pressure. It's not a 100 metre race," Haddad Maia said.

Persons: Alexander Zverev, Iga Swiatek, Zverev, Rafa Nadal, Philippe Chatrier, Roland Garros, Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Swiatek, Coco Gauff, I'm, Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia, Jabeur, Haddad Maia, Maria Bueno, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis Organizations: eventual, Argentine, Thomson Locations: Paris, tatters

☆ Ruud roars, Jabeur races into French Open quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"If we had gone five sets I don't know how long we would have played," said Ruud on court Philippe Chatrier. He next faces either Dane Holger Rune in a re-match of last year's quarter-final, or Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo. Jabeur moved into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time with a 6-3 6-1 win over American Bernarda Pera and hoped that the romantic atmosphere of Paris will help her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title. The Tunisian had reached the Australian Open quarter-final in 2020 and finished runner-up to Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open title clashes last year. "For now, I just want to take it one match at a time," added Jabeur.

Persons: Roland Garros, Bernarda Pera, Benoit Tessier PARIS, Casper Ruud, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, Ruud, lanky claycourt, Jarry, Philippe Chatrier, Dane Holger Rune, Francisco Cerundolo, Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Maria Bueno, Haddad Maia, Bueno, Daria Kasatkina, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, I've, Kasatkina, Elina, Sabalenka, Svitolina, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Jabeur, Bernarda, U.S, REUTERS, Tunisian, Wimbledon, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Tunisian, Iga, Belarusian, Ukraine

☆ Swiatek serves up double bagel as Gauff, Rune advance
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) - Defending champion Iga Swiatek continued her imperious march towards a third French Open title in four years with a 6-0 6-0 humiliation of Wang Xinyu on Saturday to reach the fourth round. Gauff ended the run of fellow teenager Mirra Andreeva with a 6-7(5) 6-1 6-1 victory, recovering from a tough start against the 16-year-old Russian. Swiatek was in dazzling form on Saturday, dishing out a double bagel to Wang - the fourth time she has won a set 6-0 in the first three rounds. In the men's draw, Holger Rune took a step closer to becoming Denmark's first male Grand Slam singles champion when he powered past Argentine qualifier Genaro Alberto Olivieri 6-4 6-1 6-3. In the distance is a possible repeat of last year's quarter-finals as Norway's Casper Ruud overcame a slow start to down Zhang Zhizhen of China 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-4 and reach the fourth round.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Wang Xinyu, Coco Gauff, Gauff, Mirra, Swiatek, Wang, Elena Rybakina, Sara Sorribes Tormo, I'm, Rybakina, Holger Rune, Denmark's, Genaro Alberto Olivieri, Norway's Casper Ruud, Zhang Zhizhen, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ed Osmond Organizations: Wimbledon, Argentine, Thomson Locations: China, Paris

☆ Elina Svitolina and husband Gaël Monfils are having quite a time at the French Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Elina Svitolina came from behind to beat Storm Hunter at the French Open – just one day after watching husband Gaël Monfils win a mammoth game against Sebastián Báez. Monfils’ game going the distance meant that Svitolina’s preparations were slightly more unusual than normal, but this didn’t impact her performance. Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesThe pair got married on July 16, 2021, and welcomed their daughter Skaï Monfils in October 2022. It’s really, really special,” Svitolina said after her win. I had, like, really heaviness in me.

Persons: CNN — Elina Svitolina, Storm Hunter, Gaël Monfils, Sebastián Báez, Svitolina, Monfils, Báez, Frenchman, Monfils ’, “, ” Svitolina, Ibrahim Ezzat, Skaï Monfils, Skaï, It’s, ”, Tim Clayton, Corbis, I’m, Garros, Holger Rune Organizations: CNN, Skaï, Ukrainian Army, Air Force, Roland Locations: Ukrainian, Paris, Ukraine, Odessa, Mexico, Monterrey

☆ Monfils ranks five-set comeback win at French Open as one of his best
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 30, 2023 France's Gael Monfils reacts during his first round match against Argentina's Sebastian Baez REUTERS/Lisi NiesnerMay 31 (Reuters) - An exhausted Gael Monfils said his epic five-set comeback victory over Sebastian Baez at the French Open on Tuesday was one of the greatest matches of his career. Monfils, who reached a career-high sixth in the world in 2016, last appeared at a Grand Slam in the 2022 Australian Open quarter-finals before missing much of last season due to heel surgery. "It's definitely in like top two (matches in my career)," Monfils said at his press conference after the match ended after midnight. I'm older and (had) even less chances to win this match today. "I'm playing full adrenaline, like honestly I asked the crowd to scream and somehow I juice up," he added.

Persons: Roland Garros, Monfils, Argentina's Sebastian Baez, Lisi Niesner, Gael Monfils, Sebastian Baez, Frenchman, Philippe Chatrier, It's, Holger Rune, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Lyon, Bengaluru

☆ Djokovic owes growth of his career to 'biggest rival' Nadal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Both players are tied on a record 22 Grand Slam titles but Djokovic can inch ahead at Roland Garros where he had managed to beat Nadal only twice in 10 meetings. I don't like seeing him in the draw of Roland Garros," Djokovic told reporters with a laugh. "I have had not so much success against him in our head-to-head record in Roland Garros. "Definitely a great motivational factor for me to keep playing and keep competing and keep pushing each other - who's going achieve more, who's going to do better." "It made me wonder, it made me think about my career and how long I'm going to play," Djokovic said.

☆ French Open preview: With Rafael Nadal absent and Iga Światek's dominance under threat, tournament is hard to call
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —It felt like the beginning of the end of an era at the French Open when Rafael Nadal announced his absence from the tournament earlier this month. How to watchIn the United States, the French Open is available to watch on NBC, streaming service Peacock, Tennis Channel, and Bally Sports. A list of international broadcasters and the full draw are available on the French Open website. “A new generation is here already,” Djokovic said after his quarterfinal defeat at the Italian Open. Questions about scheduling may persist in the coming weeks given the way night sessions were scrutinized at last year’s French Open.

☆ Medvedev says 'unbelievable' Rome triumph among his best wins
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Heading into Rome, Medvedev had won 18 of his 19 titles - including the 2021 U.S. Open - on hardcourts, with his Mallorca Open victory on grass the same year the only exception. The 27-year-old, who previously made no secret of his dislike for clay, was a player transformed at the Italian Open and ended the tournament with a 7-5 7-5 win over rising Dane Holger Rune. Asked where his victory ranked among his many successes, Medvedev told reporters: "In a way, number one, just because it's the first one on clay and it's unbelievable. Medvedev said using new strings this year had helped his clay game as they were softer and aided his deep groundstrokes. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Daniil Medvedev credits new strings for his success in 2023 after winning first clay title at the Italian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Daniil Medvedev revealed one reason behind his incredible form this year after winning the Italian Open: new racket strings. Now it’s unbelievable.”Medvedev lifts the Italian Open trophy after defeating Rune. Having won most of his titles – including his US Open triumph in 2021 – on hard courts, victory on clay at the Italian Open is a breakthrough moment for the 27-year-old Medvedev. He had to defeat the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev during his Italian Open campaign and has climbed five places in the men’s rankings this year. Medvedev (left) and Rune shake hands after the Italian Open final.

☆ Medvedev outclasses Rune in Rome to capture first title on clay
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Medvedev's fifth title of a stellar season and 20th overall leaves him as one of the top contenders for Roland Garros which begins on May 28. I didn't have any big tantrums and was like 'OK, let's continue' and here I felt amazing in practice. "But then you need to play the toughest opponents in the world and try to make it. I'm really happy that I managed to do it and prove to myself and everybody that I'm capable." Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rune rallies past Ruud into Rome final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"I told myself at this moment I had nothing to lose, he's probably going to win the match," Denmark's Rune said. Rune took a medical timeout for a minor shoulder problem and that looked to throw Estoril champion Ruud off his game as the 24-year-old Norwegian surrendered his serve twice to get dragged into a deciding set. A double-fault gifted Rune a break and a 3-1 lead in the final set and the 20-year-old never looked back as he sealed a first victory over Ruud in five meetings. "I really played some of my best tennis," said Rune, who beat world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. In the women's final later on Saturday, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will meet Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina.

☆ Djokovic says new generation has arrived after Rome quarter-final exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, May 18 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said the long awaited "shift of generations" has finally come to men's tennis after the world number one lost to 20-year-old Dane Holger Rune in the Italian Open quarter-finals. Djokovic, who has now lost two in a row to Rune, said the next generation of players led by world number two Carlos Alcaraz is like a breath of fresh air for the sport. "A new generation is here already," Djokovic told reporters. When asked if Roland Garros would be the most open tournament in years, Djokovic smiled and said: "It depends if Nadal plays or not. "But next to him Alcaraz, Rune - these guys are right there in contention, some of the biggest favourites to win the title."

☆ Holger Rune beats Novak Djokovic in rainy Italian Open quarterfinal clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

1 was beaten by Holger Rune in the Italian Open quarterfinals. It will be the first time since 2004 that neither Djokovic or Rafael Nadal will be in the final of the Italian Open, according to the ATP. Holger Rune celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic. Huge credit to Novak, I’m a big fan of his. Holger Rune has two consecutive wins over Novak Djokovic.

☆ Rune repeats Djokovic upset to storm into Rome semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

For the first time since 2004, neither Djokovic nor the injured Rafa Nadal will be in the Rome final. Rune outlasted Djokovic in three sets in last year's Paris Masters final and the 20-year-old made the perfect start in search of another upset by breaking the world number one in the opening game of the match. "Obviously, I did it last year in Paris, but every match is a huge challenge when I play Novak. "He's one of the greatest to ever play the game so I knew I had to be at my best. Rune said he hoped to stay humble after another statement win on the ATP Tour.

☆ Flawless Djokovic crushes Norrie to reach Rome quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 16, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his round of 16 match against Britain's Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Aleksandra SzmigielROME, May 16 (Reuters) - Holder Novak Djokovic blasted past Briton Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-4 in a tense encounter to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday and remain on track for a seventh title in Rome. The duo swapped breaks early in a spicy second set where Norrie's overhead shot hit Djokovic on the leg after the Serbian had turned his back on the net. The 22-times Grand Slam champion continued to stare down Norrie at the end of the fifth game. "So far so good," Djokovic, who will meet seventh seed Holger Rune or Alexei Popyrin in the last eight, said of his progress in Rome. Iga Swiatek continues her title defence when she takes on Donna Vekic for a place in the women's quarter-finals.

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