Holger Rune won a rather tense match in Rome on Wednesday against Novak Djokovic.
In the second set, the line umpire erred in judgment. When Rune noticed that Djokovic’s ball had fallen out but had not been called, he acted quickly to contest the ruling and requested help from chair umpire Mohmed Lahyani. Lahyani concurred with the initial ruling, much to the chagrin of World No. 7, awarding the world No. 1 a critical deuce point.
In the end, Novak Djokovic managed to seize the break and take the lead 4-2. He then continued to hold his serve and improved his score to 5-2, infuriating his opponent beyond belief. Rune yelled at the chair umpire Lahyani , reminding him that he had rendered an incorrect call during his match with Alexander Bublik at the Madrid Open.
“This is every time we play. You don’t see it. Ok. In Madrid against Bublik. There was a ball. I have clear, and you don’t see it. You’re an absolute joke, man!” Rune screamed at Lahyani.
https://twitter.com/djokorw/status/1658812577663655938?s=20
When the match *bursts* into life#IBI23 pic.twitter.com/771kgnbwuc
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 17, 2023
Rune in Rome, ranking, and results in 2023
Now ranked no.7 (career-high), the Dane owns a composed 26-9 record in 2023. Rune is now playing in Rome where he overcame the world no.119 Arthur Fils 6-3 6-3, the world no.130 Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-2, the world no.77 Alexei Popyrin 6-4 5-7 6-4 and the world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-2.
Rune has won 1 title in 2023 in Munich. Rune was the finalist in Monte-Carlo (Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters).
Rune won 4 titles in his career: 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rune will play next at the French Open (French Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 28th of May.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
Now ranked no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 17th of May when he was defeated by world no.7 Holger Rune 6-2 4-6 6-2 in the quarter in Rome (draw).
This season Novak has achieved an overall 20-4 win-loss record. Novak clinched 2 titles in 2023 in Adelaide and Australian Open.
Djokovic is scheduled to play next at the French Open (French Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 28th of May.
Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic faced off 3 times. Their record is 2-1 for Rune. The last time they played, Holger Rune won 6-2 4-6 6-2 in the quarter in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) on the 17th of May 2023.