Holger Rune and Casper Ruud on their way to a grudge rematch in the last eight at the French Open after alleged locker room confrontation after last year’s quarterfinal at Roland Garros
- Holger Rune saved a match point en route to a five-set win in the last 16
- He now faces Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals of the French Open
- The pair reportedly had a confrontation in the locker room at last year’s tournament
Holger Rune survived by the narrowest of margins at the French Open to mount a spirited Scandinavian derby in the French Open quarterfinals.
The outstanding young Dane saved a match point before beating Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 3-6 6-4 1-6 7-6 to squeeze through 10-7 in the decisive long-drawn tiebreak.
Rune, still only 20, will now meet last year’s defeated finalist Casper Ruud in the last eight, marking a repeat of their stormy quarter-final twelve months ago.
Afterwards, the Dane claimed there had been a confrontation in the dressing room, which was roundly denied by his Norwegian rival, who suggested he should ‘grow up a little bit’.
Rune has gained momentum over the past year, but was nearly derailed by the tough South American.
Holger Rune (pictured) battled through in five sets to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open
Rune takes on Casper Ruud (pictured) in a rematch of last year’s fiery encounter
There was controversy early in the third set when the younger player clearly hit a ball on the second bounce behind the baseline, leading to the Argentine raising his hand and losing the point as referee Kadir Nouni called him for an obstacle.
Coco Gauff reached the quarterfinals with a 7-5 6-2 victory over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia. She was waiting for the winner of last night’s match between Iga Swiatek and Lesia Tsurenko.
Previously, Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Mia had reached the quarter-finals after the longest women’s match of the year, defeating Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-7 6-3 7-5 in three hours and 51 minutes. She now faces Ons Jabeur.