Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Italian Open

Prediction published on 16/05/2023, 10:36  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/05/2023 at 23:00 in Tennis Predictions

Top seeded Novak Djokovic faces the seventh seed Holger Rune in the Rome Masters quarter finals. The current world number one is the defending champion and chasing a seventh title in Rome. He won't be world number one even if winning this clay court event. Carlos Alcaraz will replace him in top spot despite already being out of this tournament. Winning in Rome could take Djokovic to the number one ranking in the Live ATP Race. Djokovic has won two titles this year but both were on hard courts at the start of the year. He's taken a while to warm up on clay but as Roland Garros gets closer, his form is improving. Djokovic has reached the last eight in Rome for the loss of one set. That was the middle set in his third round match against 26th seeded Grigor Dimitrov. He recovered well to win the match, dropping just one game in the final set. The last round saw him defeat 13th seed Cameron Norrie in straight sets. He's 1-1 in previous meetings with Rune but this is their first match on clay.

World number seven Holger Rune is chasing his second clay court title of the year. He won the tournament held in Munich and before that had made it to the Monte Carlo final. He's made great strides up the rankings in the past year. This is his first time in the main draw of the Rome Masters, losing in the first qualifying round last year. So far in Rome this year he's had three wins but not against stellar opposition. He's beaten two qualifiers and a wild card to get this far. The last round saw him face qualifier Alexei Popyrin and he had to go to a final set to get the win. Now he's up against the world number one and our tip is for Djokovic to get the victory..