Wimbledon 2025: Federer’s Protégé Stuns World No. 2

In a shock result on May 28, 2025, young Italian sensation Marco Rossi defeated second seed Casper Ruud 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals on his main-draw debut.

Match highlights:

• First set: Rossi’s forehand bombarded Ruud’s backhand; he broke serve at 5–4 to clinch the set.
• Second set: At 5–5, a tense service game saw Rossi fend off three break points before holding. He then immediately broke to seal the set.
• Third set: Rossi raced to a 4–1 lead, and despite a late Ruud resurgence, closed out the match with his trademark slice serve.

Beyond the scoreline:

• Composure: At only 17, Rossi displayed maturity, mixing power and touch while maintaining calm under pressure.
• Tactical acumen: He neutralized Ruud’s heavy topspin with precise down-the-line backhands and effective net approaches.

“Today was a dream come true,” said Rossi. “I’ve learned so much from Roger [Federer], and I hope this is just the beginning.”

Rossi will next face Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals, in a match that promises a clash of youth versus experience.