Indian Wells 2024: Holger Rune saves match point to set-up Indian Wells quarter-final with Daniil Medvedev
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 14/03/2024 at 07:55 GMT
Holger Rune produced a thrilling comeback to beat Taylor Fritz in the last 16 of the Indian Wells Masters, recovering from losing the first set 6-2 and saving a match point to beat Taylor Fritz. The Dane will take on Daniil Medvedev in the last eight, after the Russian beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-4. There was also a come-from-behind win for Casper Ruud, who beat Gael Monfils.
Rune defeats former champion Fritz in three sets - Indian Wells highlights
Holger Rune showcased all of his fighting spirit as he came from a set down and saved a match point to beat Taylor Fritz in the last 16 of the Indian Wells Masters.
The Dane, who is the seventh seed in California, beat the American 2-6 7-6(2) 6-3 to set-up a quarter-final with Daniil Medvedev, who cruised past Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-4.
Rune was not the only Scandinavian who had to go the scenic route, as Casper Ruud needed a fight back of his own to oust Gael Monfils and he will take on Tommy Paul, following the 17th seed's victory over Novak Djokovic's conqueror Luca Nardi.
15 unforced errors in the opening set put Rune firmly on the back foot against Fritz, who was on fire at the start of the match, winning 16 out of the first 19 points.
But a missed backhand by Fritz, at match point in the second set, proved to be the turning point as Rune won a tie-break to send the match into a decider, which he took 6-3 to reach the last eight at Indian Wells for the first time.
"It was crazy. Really just stayed in the moment, kept fighting," Rune said after the match.
"Tried to play from point to point, and I thought I managed to raise my level quite amazingly at the end of the second set."
Things were much more straight forward for Australian Open runner-up Medvedev, who is still chasing a first title of the season.
The world No. 4 was solid on serve all match, producing just 13 unforced errors all match as he took his own opportunities to secure his place in the last eight.
Although Medvedev looked untroubled, he revealed the match was more of a struggle than it appeared as he joined Emma Raducanu in criticising the balls being used at the tournament.
"It's not easy for everyone to play here, especially this year because they changed the balls and it's even tougher to control it," he said afterwards.
"It's tricky and also when it's windy and the sand comes on the court, it feels like it's 10 times faster. I'm trying my best and I'm happy to beat a great opponent. I played well and was really consistent."
Rune's three set win over Monfils extended his impressive run of form to 10 wins from his 12 tour level matches since a disappointing third round exit in Melbourne at the first Grand Slam of the year.
But he did not have things all his own way when taking on an opponent who had already knocked out eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz and Britain's Cameron Norrie.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/03/14/3929084-79814448-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: Ruud earns comeback victory over Monfils to reach quarter-final of Indian Wells
After starting strongly, Monfils appeared to tire as the match went on - perhaps a lasting impact of his epic win over Norrie in the previous round.
Ruud will now face Tommy Paul for a place in the semi-finals, after the American beat Luca Nardi - conqueror of Novak Djokovic - 6-4 6-3.
The 26-year-old is enjoying a strong season himself, having recently reached the final of the ATP 250 event in Delray Beach, before losing to fellow-countryman Taylor Fritz, while also winning the ATP 250 tournament in Dallas.
- - -
Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement