Holger Rune claimed his first Masters 1000 title at the Rolex Paris Masters with a 3-6 6-3 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic.
The Dane overcame a flawless start from Djokovic as he edged out the former world number one in two and a half hours. Rune has become the first player on record to defeat five top ten players in a single tournament. The win will also see him become a top ten player for the first time in his young career on Monday.
“Novak, I’ve been watching you since I was a little kid, practising with you, it’s a pleasure to share the court with you now,” a delighted Rune said afterwards. “I can say definitely it’s my favourite tournament now. To my mum, my coach, Patrick (Mouratoglou), all my team, my agent, it’s absolutely amazing.”
It was Djokovic who as expected made the better start, settling into his groundstrokes well and saw his accurate serving cause Rune problems on the forehand side.
Despite forcing the six-time champion to Deuce in the opening game, Rune looked tentative and passive with his play as he was about to find out how hard it was playing one of the greatest returners of all-time.
Eventually the pressure got to Rune as a couple of double faults resulted in a gift of a break to the Serb as Djokovic took a 3-1 lead.
As the set grew on, Rune began to find his range but that meant nothing when Djokovic was serving as flawlessly as he was.
Two consecutive love holds to end the set as the one break of serve was enough to clinch the opening set 6-3.
All the momentum was with Djokovic, who was seeking his fifth title of the season, as he pushed for the break in the opening game of the second frame.
However Rune responded in fine fashion as he played some remarkable tennis to grind out the hold to give him the confidence boost he desperately needed.
That game was the spark Rune needed as he took advantage of some sloppy play from Djokovic to break for a 2-0 lead.
The Dane served the big points well as Djokovic looked for an immediate response but some uncharacteristic errors mixed with superb power from Rune saw a 3-0 lead.
Djokovic produced occasional moments of magic but nothing consistent to cause Rune any problems as the Dane’s comfortable service holds were frustrating the former world number one.
A hold to love secured the second set for Rune as he ensured that this final would enter a deciding set.
Djokovic was determined to ensure that this match didn’t have a similar outcome in terms of match length to the Tsitsipas match and the Serb thought that he would avoid that fate with an early break for a 3-1 lead.
However Rune had other plans as he worked the angles to perfection and outpowered Djokovic’s defence to break and consolidate to level the set at 3-3.
Djokovic was struggling physically but that didn’t stop him from being at his brilliant best as him and Rune went toe-to-toe from the baseline.
Both players now played some gruelling rallies and were precise on serve as this match continued to be tense.
This match would be decided on who would blink first and surprisingly it was Djokovic who played some poor points in some crucial moments as Rune’s patience paid off as he broke in the eleventh game and served for the title.
Rune’s inexperience and nerves were about to be tested as a ten minute long game full of Djokovic pressure was faced.
Six break points and flawless tennis from the Serb was not enough to power past the raw Dane as Rune claimed the title in two and a half hours.
“Congratulations to you and your team and your family, you absolutely deserve the victory, what an amazing week you had,” Djokovic said to Rune. “I’m not happy that you beat me but on the other hand, I’m happy for you, I like your personality, you’re very dedicated and I’m sure the future is very bright for you and your team.
“I lost to a better opponent in the crucial moments but I am proud of a great fight. Some you win, some you lose, there’s always the next challenge to look up to. I’m very pleased with the performance.
Rune has become the youngest player in history to win the Paris Masters title and ends Djokovic’s run of 13 straight wins at the tournament.
