Danish youngster Holger Rune staged an incredible comeback and scored the biggest triumph of his career on Sunday as he defeated Serbian Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the Masters 1000 tennis final from Paris.
In doing so, Rune prevented Djokovic from improving his record, which he was aiming for 39e title to a Masters 1000 tournament.
The 19-year-old Rune, who is a friend and former junior doubles partner of world number one Carlos Alcaraz, saved six break points in the game he served for the match.
During this game, Djokovic himself erased a match point on a double fault from Rune. However, the daring Dane took his chance the next time, sending a forehand into Djokovic’s feet which the latter returned into the net on a volley attempt.
“That means everything to me, a perfect way to end the week,” Rune said. “It’s a privilege to share the court with Novak. »
In disbelief, Rune, who is the same age as Alcaraz, fell on his back after his first career victory at a Masters 1000 tournament. he buried his head in his hands.
He then threw his fists in the air to celebrate a remarkable week, in which he beat five consecutive top-ten rivals. One of them was Montrealer Félix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday in the semifinals.
In his very first match of the tournament, against Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, Rune had to save three match points to advance to the second round.
Djokovic, who would have signed a seventh triumph at the Paris Masters – he already holds the record – gave him a warm embrace at the net.
“I feel exhausted. It’s been an amazing tournament,” said Rune. “I have so much respect for what [Djokovic] did. I’m so proud of myself, I don’t realize it yet. The last game was one of the most stressful of my tennis career. »
Sixth seed of the tournament, Djokovic seemed destined to collect the 91e career title. He completed the first set by winning his serve without conceding points to his young rival, then gave himself three break points in the first game of the second set.
Rune saved three break points and waved his arms to liven up the crowd. Onlookers responded by chanting “Holger, Holger.”
In the next game, Djokovic gave Rune a first break chance, and the Serbian lost his serve after a nonchalant forehand fell outside the sideline.
Rune took control of the set which he, in turn, finished with a service game without losing a single point.
However, Rune again found himself facing three break points, this time in the fourth game of the deciding set. He saved one with an ace, but he double faulted on the next point, giving Djokovic a 3-1 lead.
The tide turned when Djokovic missed a routine smash at the net on a point that would have given him a 4-1 lead, while Rune displayed incredible reflexes to hit a game-winning volley.
This streak allowed Rune to get back into the game and he recovered the break with a nice cross forehand. During the change of sides, Djokovic received treatment on his left thigh and he began to become restless and remonstrate with his team members.
Just as he looked exhausted, Djokovic, while serving, hit a backhand from beyond the baseline and found himself in front of a break point. Rune didn’t let it go and he scored another break, which gave him the chance to serve for the match with a 6-5 lead.
It wasn’t over. It rarely is with Djokovic.
The Serb used his wealth of experience as a winner of 21 Grand Slam singles tournaments to put pressure on Rune in a 12e game that lasted almost 20 minutes.
But Rune has held on for his third title in 2022 and since the start of his blossoming career.
On Monday, Rune will make it into the top ten.
“If you had told me four weeks ago that I would be in the top-10 […] I would have said “What, sorry?” Now I’m here and I’m super proud. »