‘It’s going to be wild’ – Holger Rune sets up Italian Open clash with home favourite Fabio Fognini, Casper Ruud wins
Holger Rune expects his Italian Open last-16 clash with home favourite Fabio Fognini to be “wild” after beating Arthur Fils, while Casper Ruud also progressed in Rome.
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“It’s going to be wild, for sure,” Rune said.
“But this is great because this is what tennis is about. You already hear the football match [atmosphere] now and this is great, it’s fun. It brings tennis to another level and I’m super excited for it.”
Fourth seed Ruud also made it safely through to the last 16 with a 6-4 6-0 win over Arthur Rinderknech.
The 24-year-old has had a difficult season so far and headed to Rome on the back of defeat in his opener in Madrid to Matteo Arnaldi and last-16 exits in Barcelona and Monte Carlo.
Ruud has failed to make it to the quarter-finals at any ATP 1000 events this season and went out in the second round at the Australian Open in January.
Hoping to find some form ahead of Roland Garros at the end of the month, the Norwegian faces Alexander Bublik next, who took down 28th seed Ben Shelton in three sets.
Ruud has a good track record in Rome, having twice reached the semi-finals, and his victory over Rinderknech was his 10th in the Italian capital, his best record at any ATP Masters 1000 event.
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