Holger Rune has set up an exciting quarter-final with Lorenzo Musetti after a 6-3 6-4 win over Ryan Peniston.
The Dane didn’t have it all his own way after having to save multiple break points against the tricky Brit.
However Rune earned his revenge over Peniston from last year’s match at Eastbourne to book a spot in the last eight.
After the win Rune was relieved to beat Peniston this time around and did his research from last year’s defeat to the Brit, “I think the most important is that I came with a very, very humble approach to the surface and [was] ready to adjust it at any moment,” Rune told the ATP website.
“I played Ryan last year, so I knew more of what I was coming into. Last year I didn’t see him play so much, but I’ve seen him over the year now and he’s a great player, especially on this surface.
“He’s dangerous. He makes you move and we all know how tough it is to move on grass, so I’m happy to come through.”
Rune will be pleased to have reached the quarter-finals after losing all three of his previous grass court main draw matches before this week.
As for Peniston, the Brit will head to Wimbledon with encouraging performances despite failing to defend his quarter-final points.
Next for Rune will be fellow exciting young talent, Lorenzo Musetti who defeated Ben Shelton 6-4 4-6 6-4 in a titanic two hour and 13 minute clash.
Friday’s quarter-final meeting will be the first time the two players have met.
Norrie Keeps British Hopes Alive
Meanwhile in the other second round matches, former finalist Cameron Norrie kept British hopes alive with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory over s-Hertogenbosch finalist Jordan Thompson.
Norrie admitted after the match that it was good to win given Thompson’s grass court threat, “I think it was the perfect match,” Norrie told the ATP website.
“Jordan obviously really likes the grass and he played a really solid first set. He played a couple of good points to break me, and I played a couple of loose points, and that was the difference in the first set. I actually thought I played great, so I didn’t really have to change too much.
“He dropped his level slightly [in the second set]. I came up with a few points and it was just like classic grass-court tennis. I was able to come out with a lot more energy in that third set and I think that was the difference. There wasn’t much in it, and it was a really good match to get through.”
Next for Norrie will be Sebastian Korda who beat Stuttgart champion Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2) 6-3.
Heading into the meeting on Friday, Korda leads the head-to-head 2-1 although the pair have never played on grass courts.
