Lorenzo Sonego has become the first Italian player to reach the semifinal at the Internazionali d’Italia since 2006 after coming back from one set down to beat world number 7 Andrey Rublev 3-6 6-4 6-3 in 2 hours and 33 minutes on Grand Stand Arena. The last Italian semifinalist in Rome was current Davis Cup captain Filippo Volandri in 2007.
Sonego has beaten consecutive top 10 opponents to reach the semifinal this week at the Foro Italico in Rome.
claimed his second win against a top 10 player following another three-set battle against Dominic Thiem on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Italian player hit 29 winners to 26 unforced error and saved 11 of the 13 break points he faced.
Sonego saved a break point in the first game before Rublev came back from 15-40 down to get the break in the third game to take a 2-1 lead.
Sonego fended off four break points to hold serve in the fifth game at deuce for 2-3. Rublev earned his double break at deuce with a backhand down the line on the set point to win the first set 6-3 after 44 minutes.
Sonego earned his first break in the opening game after a forehand error from Rublev. The Italian player saved a break-back points with an ace and held serve at deuce in the next game to take a 2-0 lead.
Sonego set up a semifinal against five-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic for a spot in the semifinal. Djokovic came back from a break down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6 7-5 7-5 in a two-day match on Centre Court. Sonego beat Djokovic 6-2 6-1 in straight sets in the semifinal of the Vienna Erste Bank Open.
Sonego held on his next service games and saved a break point with a forehand winner at 5-4. He hit two service winners at 40-40 to close out the second set 6-4 after 54 minutes.
Sonego saved three break points with a forehand winner and two service winners in the fourth game. Rublev dropped his serve at love after three unforced errors in the fifth game to trail 2-3.
Sonego saved another break point at 4-3 30-40 with another forehand winner before breaking serve in the ninth game on his second match point.
Sonego is the third Italian player to reach a Masters 1000 semifinal this year after Jannik Sinner in Miami and Matteo Berrettini in Madrid.
“This is my favourite tournament in the world. I am with people here. I am so happy for that because I played every point. I am really happy. It’s a very emotional moment for me, playing in the semifinals with Novak. He is an unbelievable player. He is the best in the world. I want to do my best. It’s a a very emotional moment for me, playing the semifinals with Novak. He is an unbelievable player. He is the best in the world. I want to do my best”, said Sonego.
