Denmark's Holger Rune returns to Serbia's Novak Djokovic (not in photograph) during their quarterfinals match of the Men's ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

ROME — Novak Djokovic sees a bit of himself in Holger Rune.

The 20-year-old Rune is solid in nearly every area: A great mover and super fit, he’s strong off both his forehand and backhand, has good hands and is an aggressive returner.

Perhaps that’s why Rune has now recorded two victories over Djokovic in little more than six months, beating the 22-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 Wednesday to reach the Italian Open semifinals.

Rune, who also defeated Djokovic in the Paris Masters final in November, troubled the Serbian star with his rapid court coverage. He made his opponent hit extra balls on points that Djokovic thought he had already finished off.

Djokovic said the consistently damp conditions at Foro Italico this week were challenging for him.

The 35-year-old Djokovic didn’t appear at his best physically early on and called for a trainer after holding for a 2-1 lead in the second set. It wasn’t immediately clear what the issue was

“In these kinds of conditions, it’s very difficult to get the ball past him,” Djokovic said. “He’s very, very fast, very quick. Great anticipation. Just a very talented, dynamic player, all-around player.

Unlike the win in Paris, which was a breakthrough moment for Rune, this one felt like a confirmation for the Danish player.

“If it’s working against Novak, it works against almost anybody,” Rune said of his performance.

The 35-year-old Djokovic didn’t appear at his best physically early on and called for a trainer after holding for a 2-1 lead in the second set. It wasn’t immediately clear what the issue was.

Djokovic recently returned after three weeks off because of a lingering issue with his surgically repaired right elbow. He’s preparing for the French Open, which starts in 11 days.

“I know I can always play better,” Djokovic said. “I always like my chances in Grand Slams against anybody on any surface, best of five.”

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Rune, meanwhile, is boosting his credentials as a Grand Slam title contender after a solid season on clay that included a runner-up finish in the Monte Carlo Masters, a title in Munich, and now a semifinal spot in his first main-draw appearance in Rome.

“I want to win a Grand Slam this year,” Rune said. “I hope it can be achieved at the French Open. If not, I hope to make it in the other two Grand Slams.”

Denmark's Holger Rune (right) celebrates after winning the quarterfinal match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, May 17, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Djokovic stormed into a 5-2 lead in the second but Rune battled back, winning a 34-shot rally with a sublime backhand drop shot to set up a late break.

Rune also called for a trainer late in the second set to have his right leg treated. The match was then suspended because of rain with Rune serving to stay in the set at 4-5, 0-30.

Rune, meanwhile, is boosting his credentials as a Grand Slam title contender after a solid season on clay that included a runner-up finish in the Monte Carlo Masters, a title in Munich, and now a semifinal spot in his first main-draw appearance in Rome

After a suspension of more than an hour, Djokovic won two straight points to break Rune’s serve and take the second set. But Rune responded with two service breaks early in the third. 

Djokovic committed 35 unforced errors to Rune’s 15, with 22 of those coming on his forehand. Djokovic has won the Italian Open six times, including last year, and failed to reach the final only once in eight previous editions — when he was beaten by Rafael Nadal in the 2018 semifinals.

Nadal, who holds the record of 10 titles in Rome, is not playing as he remains hampered by a nagging hip injury, leaving his status for Roland Garros in question.

With Djokovic eliminated, an 18-year streak of either him or Nadal playing in the Rome final ends. 

Djokovic will also lose the No 1 ranking to Carlos Alcaraz, another 20-year-old player, next week — even though Alcaraz was beaten by 135th-ranked Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the third round on Monday.

Rune’s semifinal opponent will be Casper Ruud, who beat Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Rune got into a heated exchange with the chair umpire during the second set. When the umpire refused to change the call, the Dane lost his cool.

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“Do you get punished when you make mistakes? You don’t. So please respect the player,” Rune said to the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani. “It’s an absolute joke.”

Rune took issue when he was asked about his reputation as the game’s “bad boy”.

“I don’t see myself as the bad boy at all,” he said. “I play with a lot of passion and energy when I’m on the court.”

Agencies via Xinhua