Medvedev wins Italian Open

Final day in Rome.

2023 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, on Clay, in Rome, Italy, 9-21 May 2023.

Defending champion:

Novak Djokovic (1) who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) 6-0 7-6(5)

Final:

Holger Rune (7) (Denmark) v Daniil Medvedev (3) (Russia)

In the only previous meeting between the players, Rune defeated Medvedev in a quarter final at Monte Carlo earlier this year.

Medvedev saved two break points in the fifth game of set one before holding serve.

No more break points were faced by either player until the twelfth game.

Rune was serving at 5-6 to stay in the set and led 30-15,

Medvedev won the remaining three points and took the set 7-5.

Rune broke Medvedev to love in the opening game of set two, and consolidated to lead 2-0.

Medvedev broke back in the fourth game to level at 2-2.

Rune again broke Medvedev to love in the seventh game - one which featured a 38 shot rally sealed with a wonderful backhand winner from the seventh seed.

Rune led 4-3.

Rune served for the set at 5-4, and two loose forehands from him gave Medvedev a break point,

Another error, this from the Rune backhand, confirmed the break, and scores were 5-5.

An exquisite drop shot winner from Rune in the next game earned him a break point.

It disappeared after a Medvedev ace, and the third seed proceeded to hold for 6-5.

Serving to stay alive in the match, Rune capitulated with an error riddled game, and Medvedev picked up the pieces to win the day 7-5 7-5.

It was title number four for the year for Medvedev, two of those at Masters 1000 level, and his first ever title on clay.