Italian Open Highlights: Novak Djokovic sailed past Tomas Etcheverry with a 7-6, 6-2 victory in the second round at the Italian Open on Friday, 12th May 2023. Casper Ruud and Holger Rune also advanced to the third round as they won their respective second round matches on the day. Fourth seed Ons Jabeur bowed out from the second round in the Italian Open 2023. The Tunisian suffered a 1-6, 4-6 loss against Paula Badosa. Follow Italian Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Italian Open Highlights: Novak Djokovic sails past Tomas Etcheverry, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud enter second round in Italian Open 2023 – Check Out
Men’s Singles
- Holger Rune BEAT Arthur Fils – 6-3, 6-3
- Novak Djokovic BEAT Tomas Etcheverry – 7-6, 6-2
- Casper Ruud BEAT Arthur Rinderknech – 6-4, 6-0
Women’s Singles
- Ons Jabeur LOST TO Paula Badosa – 1-6, 4-6
Men’s Singles
Holger Rune vs Arthur Fils
Holger Rune made a fast start in his debut at the Italian Open with a 6-3, 6-3 win against Arthur Fils. In a battle of NextGenATP stars, the 20-year-old Rune dominated on return, converting on four of 12 break points in the victory.
“He made it tough. He’s young, younger than me. It feels kind of crazy because I think this is the second time in my life I’m playing someone that’s younger,” said Rune, who improved to 2-1 against younger opponents on the ATP Tour, having split two previous matches against Carlos Alcaraz. “For sure he’s in the right direction and I wish him all the best. He’s a nice guy.”
Casper Ruud vs Arthur Rinderknech
Fourth seed Casper Ruud also advanced on Friday evening with a 6-4, 6-0 win against Arthur Rinderknech. The Norwegian was a perfect four-of-four on his break chances while saving both break points against him.
The victory was Ruud’s 10th in Rome, marking the first time he has reached 10 wins at a single ATP Masters 1000 event. The 24-year-old is a two-time semi-finalist at the Foro Italico (2020, 2022).
Novak Djokovic vs Tomas Etcheverry
Holder Novak Djokovic began his hunt for a seventh Italian Open title by battling past the unseeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(5) 6-2 on Friday. Djokovic got off to a shaky start by dropping his serve in the opening game. He squandered a chance to break back immediately but pounced when Etcheverry double-faulted and sent a forehand wide to level the set at 3-3.
The Argentinian forced a tiebreak where he raced ahead 5-3 but Djokovic began to dictate terms by stretching the rallies and clawed his way back to wrap up the set before grabbing an early break in the next. A more relaxed Djokovic mixed up his game with some delicate drops en route to a 5-3 lead and closed out the victory on serve when his opponent found the net.
Women’s Singles
Ons Jabeur vs Paula Badosa
Paula Badosa defeated Ons Jaber 6-1, 6-4 on Friday in the second round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. In 70 minutes, Badosa extended her head-to-head lead against Jabeur to 4-1. The Tunisian was playing her first match since April 22, when she retired from her semifinal match against Iga Swiatek at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix with a calf injury.
Italian Open Highlights: Novak Djokovic sails past Tomas Etcheverry, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud enter second round in Italian Open 2023 – Check Out
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