(Rome) World No.1 Novak Djokovic, defending champion, was eliminated 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 by young Dane Holger Rune, world No.7, in the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 in Rome Wednesday, ten days from Roland-Garros (May 28-June 11).
Djokovic, who will lose the place of world No.1 to Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, will thus present himself in Paris with a flat record of five victories for three defeats in three tournaments on clay in 2023.
At 20, Rune obtained his second victory in a row against the Serb, after that in the final of the Masters 1000 in Paris in November.
He will face the world N.4 Casper Ruud or the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (31e) for a place in the final.