ROME: Holger Rune sent an off-colour Novak Djokovic tumbling out of the Italian Open on Wednesday as the young Dane prevailed 6-2 4-6 6-2 in an epic battle against the defending champion to secure his place in the semi-finals.
For the first time since 2004, neither Djokovic nor the injured Rafa Nadal will be in the Rome final.
Rune outlasted Djokovic in three sets in last year's Paris Masters final and the 20-year-old made the perfect start in search of another upset by breaking the world number one in the opening game of the match.
The seventh seed showcased his aggressive style and mixed up his game with delicate drops to race ahead 4-1 as Djokovic looked uncomfortable in between points having admitted a day earlier that he was dealing with a physical issue.
Rune squandered a late breakpoint opportunity but the fast-fading Djokovic could not prevent him from closing out the first set as sections of the crowd appeared to be in disbelief over the six-times champion's struggles.
Djokovic took a painkiller midway through the second set and the 35-year-old roared back to life to go up 5-2 following a break and a hold, as Rune completely lost his cool over a line call by the chair umpire.
Rune, who launched an expletive-laden rant while receiving treatment for a leg problem, responded with a break of his own but surrendered the set following a lengthy break in play due to rain.
Ferocious hitting from both players marked the start of the decider but a dominant Rune pounced on Djokovic's serve en route to a 4-0 lead and completed a famous win in a rare spell of sunshine.
"It's really a big win for me," Rune said. "Obviously, I did it last year in Paris, but every match is a huge challenge when I play Novak.
"He's one of the greatest to ever play the game so I knew I had to be at my best. I'm super proud of myself and I enjoyed every moment out there."
Rune said he hoped to stay humble after another statement win on the ATP Tour.
"I have a lot to achieve... I think I'm humble and I hope people see me this way.
"I'm a huge fighter on court and I leave everything out there. Huge credit to Novak, he's an inspiration."
Djokovic will relinquish the top ranking to Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz before the May 28-June 11 French Open, where the Serbian will look to claim a men's record 23rd Grand Slam title having gone level with Nadal by winning the Australian Open.
French Open runner-up Casper Ruud takes on Francisco Cerundolo in the quarter-finals later.
In the women's draw, Paula Badosa meets 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the semi-finals before a blockbuster clash between Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek and Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. — Reuters
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