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. The world No. 7 earned a 6-3 6-3 victory over 18-year-old Fils to make it through as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing third-round exit at the Madrid Open.
Ad Rune’s clay-court season campaign got off to a flying start when he reached the Monte Carlo final in April, losing to Andrey Rublev, but he will have to silence a vocal home support in his next match. Roland-GarrosMurray 'would still like to play' French Open despite early Rome exitYESTERDAY AT 11:52 Fognini was handed a wildcard in Rome and has enjoyed a superb week so far, upsetting top-50 players Andy Murray and Miomir Kecmanovic in front of boisterous crowds to earn a clash with a player 15 years his junior. «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." Exclusive: Rune insists he is not a tennis 'bad boy' ‘I don't see weaknesses’ — Rune tipped to break into tennis’ new big three Djokovic overcomes slow start to progress at Italian Open 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
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