The 6th seed cruises past Genaro Alberto Olivieri to reach the fourth round and unveils an invisible source of his energy
Despite dropping service three times in the match, Holger Rune was never threatened in his third round by the Argentinian qualifier. As the match went on, the No. 231 in the ranking appeared more and more at loss for solutions.
Olivieri had got off to a brave start though, breaking the Dane in the second game with a forehand down the line and an excellent backhand return.
Rune broke back immediately and by winning 16 of the next 20 points soared to a 5-2 lead. After a glitch, he closed the first set 6-4.
He then dominated the second and third set displaying shots of all sorts: aggressive returns off both sides, an all-round pressuring forehand, serve variety, not to mention defensive skills, featuring millimetric lobs too. He sealed the match, in less than two hours, with an emphatic smash.
His mood was just as smashing in the press conference, where he did not conceal his ambitions: I believe I can win (the Roland Garros this year). But again, I have to play my best tennis, be in my best state of mind to do it, and I have to take one match at a time.
Not having used too much energy so far – he skipped playing the second round because of Monfils’ withdrawal – could turn out to be helpful. But where does he get his energy from?
I sleep a lot. I love to sleep. I probably sleep around, I don’t know, 9 to 13 hours if I can. It’s a lot (he laughs). I really like it. I think it’s the best recovery that you can have. You know, I actually think the muscles relax, everything relaxes when you sleep, so I try to sleep every time I can.
As well as allowing the body and brain to slow down and restore energy, sleeping is inextricably associated with dreaming.
I think we all dream, no? says Holger, sometimes about tennis, sometimes not. Can be random things. I don’t know. Sometimes I have very good dreams that, you know, I stand there with the trophy and stuff, but then when you wake up, you’re, like, oh…, I’m just in bed. But then when you actually make the dreams to a reality it feels even better, because then you remember, oh, that’s actually what I dreamt about. You know, in this case can be fun. But then when you wake up from a good dream, it’s not as fun.
In the next round he is awaited by one of the most fired up players of the moment, Franscisco Cerundolo today held a Clay Tennis Masterclass before a most unfortunate attendee, 9th seed Taylor Fritz, whom he defeated 36 63 63 75.
Rune will need a full tank to keep his dreams afloat, ever so close to reality.
