PARIS: Holger Rune’s quick rise hit a new milestone on Sunday at the Paris Masters, where the 19-year-old teenager produced a stunning comeback to down Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and clinch his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title.
Having dropped the first set, Rune recovered from 0/40 in the opening game of the second and a 1-3 deficit in the third, saving six break points in the final game as he dug deep to defeat Djokovic and claim the biggest title of his career in dramatic fashion.
“It means everything to me, a perfect way to finish the week. It’s a privilege to share the court with Novak,” said Rune.
“I’m feeling lovely to be honest, it’s the best feeling. If you told me four weeks ago, I would be Top 10. I would be like ‘What, sorry?’ Now I’m here and I’m super proud,” said Rune.
Rune moved past Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach his first Masters 1000 final.
“It was the most stressful game of my life. My heart was almost in my brain. I was already starting to think about the tie-break. I’m very proud I could finish it,” the new Paris Masters champion said.
Rune slammed 17 winners off that wing to Djokovic’s six in his two-hour, 33-minute victory. His title campaign in Paris will also lift him to a career-high No. 10 in the ATP Rankings on Monday.
It was also the first time Djokovic lost in 31 Masters 1000 finals when he has won the first set. (ANI)