World No.1 Jannik Sinner led 6-2, 5-7, 4-2 over Daniil Medvedev in Rome’s semi‑final before a downpour forced a pause.

Sinner’s early dominance and Medvedev’s late surge saw the match stall, with play slated to resume Saturday at 2pm BST. A victory would place Sinner alongside Novak Djokovic as the only players to capture all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles.

Meanwhile Norway’s Casper Ruud advanced to his first Rome final after a rain‑delayed win over home favourite Luciano Darderi, finishing 6-1, 6-1. Ruud’s steady focus and Darderi’s exhaustion after grueling earlier rounds proved decisive.

The Italian Open now stands as the final major warm‑up before the French Open, with Sinner and Ruud poised to clash in a match that could reshape the Masters 1000 hierarchy.