Holger Rune starts perfectly in Montpellier

Holger Rune did not miss his entry into the running of the Open Sud de France table (a tournament that you can follow live on The Live Team). Seeded n°1 for the first time in his career on the ATP circuit, the Dane (19 years old, 9th) however approached this first match with caution. Because on the other side of the net was waiting for him Marc Andrea Huesler (26 years old, 49th) and the Swiss is in full progress. He entered the top 100 last July after winning his first title in Sofia and is already in the top 50. Above all, the left-hander led 2-0 against Rune, with two victories last year.

The first set was tight. Despite all his ardour, Rune too often saw the ball come back, a little as if he were playing against his double. Despite three break points, he could not find the key to the opposing service. Fortunately for him, he was hardly worried about his own commitments. Except at 5-5 when he had to defend his first two break points. We then saw why it had experienced such a good progression last year (from top 100 in January to top 10 in November). A huge forehand attack erased the first break point. Huesler made the mistake on the second. Returning to equality, Rune released an ace at 203 km / h on the T and a winning service. The alert had passed. Without a break, the set would end in a tie-break. Rune started it badly, but ended it with a bang.

Released, by this first set won against the Swiss, Rune became unplayable. Double break in the pocket, he broke away 4-0 by outclassing his opponent in all areas. He would have no break point to defend in this set and closed it on his first match point. In the quarter-finals, the Dane will play the winner of the evening’s match between Grégoire Barrère and Nikoloz Basilashvili.