Holger Rune Shows Grit To Advance At Wimbledon
Sixth-seeded Dane Holger Rune rallied from a break of serve down in the first and third sets to secure a gritty 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4 win over Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena to charge into the Wimbledon third round Friday.
Rune dictated play in the match with 45 winners (double that of his opponent) and 47 unforced errors and steadily improved on serve after winning just three of 12 second-serve points in the opening set.
"It wasn't easy today; he made it very difficult," said Rune, who won 33 of 48 net approaches. "He's the type of player who doesn't give you anything for free. So I had to finish the points myself and try to play good. He makes a lot balls. I managed to raise my level close to the end and I got unbelievable support from the crowd."
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The 2022 Rolex Paris Masters champion will next meet the winner of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
The 20-year-old, who saved eight of 11 break points against him, has not dropped a set in advancing to the Wimbledon third round for the first time. In the opening round he defeated British wild card George Loffhagen 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2.
Rune's deepest runs at the majors have come at Roland Garros, where he has reached the quarter-finals the past two years. During this grass season he reached the semi-finals at Queen's (l. to De Minaur).
Rune is at a career-high No. 6 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, with a chance to break into the Top 5 for the first time with a deep run at The All England Club.
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