Holger Rune, the 20-year-old Danish talent is a candidate to win at the Foro Italico

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Holger Rune is the first finalist of the Internazionali d’Italia. In a Scandinavian derby, the Dane, number 7 in the ranking, an emerging talent on the circuit, beat the Norwegian Casper Ruud, fourth in the ATP rankings, with a score of 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-2. For Rune it is the eighth final in his career and the third final in a Masters 1000. This year he has already won a title at the ATP 250 in Monaco and reached the final in Monte Carlo, defeated by Andrey Rublev. It is the first time in his career that the Dane has defeated Ruud, after 4 defeats in as many matches, all played on clay between 2021 and 2022.

The Dane, who recently celebrated his 20th birthday, has already been at the top of the Juniores ranking and in 2019 he won Roland Garros in the category. After the first approaches to football, at the age of 6 Rune starts playing tennis following the example of her sister Alma.

«I was down by a set and a break and I said to myself ‘enjoy it’ and started playing my best tennis. Taking the net was one of the solutions, against Casper Ruud I had to do this. Great with the greats? I’m not afraid» explained the Danish Rune, who boasts the record of having won against all the top five players on the circuit. «Yes, I play my best tennis when I play with the best. I’ve managed to do it many times now.”

The Norwegian Ruud had led the entire first part of the match with a solid game from the baseline, leading his rival to play awkward shots and causing mistakes. His run continued up to 4-2 in the second set, even one break ahead, where he started to drop, especially from a mental point of view. For his part, Rune raised the bar, took big risks and boldly nullified two break points on 4-all that would have sent Ruud serving for the match.

At that point the match changed direction and Rune grinded game, up to the final 6-2. “Yes, it was a difficult start for me – explained Rune -. I had to find a different solution, to beat him today. I told myself to relax when I was 4-2 down and enjoy the moment, try to play the tennis I like. I managed to do it and play better and better. I think at the end of the third set I played my best tennis». Now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev, suspended due to rain.