Italian Open Tennis: Novak Djokovic knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinals

In Italian Open Tennis, top Seed Novak Djokovic suffered an early exit after losing to rising Danish star Holger Rune in the quarter-finals.

World Number Seven Rune ended the title defence of Djokovic in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, to storm into the semi-finals yesterday.

Earlier, fourth seed Casper Ruud defeated 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo to reach the semi-finals.

Now, Norwegian star Ruud will lock horn with Holger Rune in an enthralling first semifinal on Saturday.

In the Women’s



Singles, the World Number one and top seed Iga Swiatek was forced to retire in her quarter-final match against the reigning Wimbledon champion and sevent seed Elena Rybakina.

Poland's Swiatek had roared through the first set but after receiving treatment she called a halt with a right leg injury to hand Rybakina a win and a semi-final spot.

In the last four tomorrow, Rybakina of Kazakhstan will take on 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, who defeated Paula Badosa of Spain in the other quaterfinals.