Holger Rune saved two match points to beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (11-9) 3-6 7-6 (7-2) in a thrilling match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. Rune won a rain-delayed match against Sumit Nagal early in the day before returning to the court to beat Dimitrov in a three and a half hour marathon match.
Three games went into multiple deuces in a close first set. Rune broke serve in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead and served for the set at 5-3, but Dimitrov broke back in the 10th game to draw level to 5-5 to force the first set to a tie-break. Rune earned five set points in the tie-break, while Dimitrov had one chance at 7-8 on his serve. Rune saved the only set point he faced before sealing the tie-break 11-9 on his fifth set point.
Dimitrov broke twice in the first and ninth games to win the second set 6-3 forcing the match to the decider.
Each player earned a break point in the third set, but Neither was able to break in the first 11 games. Rune saved two match points in a marathon 12th game at 5-6 in the third set. Dimitrov rallied from 0-40 down and fought his way back to earn two match points, but Rune fended them off. Rune earned three mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-3 avenging a defeat to Dimitrov in last January’s Brisbane final.
Rune saved seven of ten break points he faced.
Dimitrov rallied from 40-0 down, forcing deuce with a drop-shot.
Rune set up a quarter final clash against Jannik Sinner at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.
“It’s going to be great. He is the favourite at the moment. I have a winning record of 2-1, but let’s see how it’s going to be. He is been the player that almost nobody can beat. I think Alcaraz can beat him this year so far. He is the other greatest player this year. It’s going to be a big challenge, especially after a long day today, so I am going to recover and try to do my best”, said Rune.
Ugo Humbert came back from one set down to beat lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego 5-7 6-3 6-1 reaching the quarter final at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. Humbert saved nine of the ten break points he faced.
Sonego saved a break point in the eighth game to hold serve at deuce for 4-4. Humbert fended off a break point in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead. Sonego converted his third break point in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead. The Italian player served out the first set with a hold at 15.
Sonego earned a break point in the third game and five break points in the fifth game in the second set. Humbert converted his fourth break point in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead. The Frenchman served out the second set with a hold at 15.
Humbert broke three times to win the third set 6-1.
Humbert is currently ranked ninth in the ATP Race to Turin. He could overtake Ruud and Hurkacz to reach the top eight if he beat the Norwegian player in the quarter final on Friday.
Humbert set up a quarter final match against Casper Ruud, who did not face a break point in his 6-4 6-2 win over Hubert Hurkacz. Ruud converted his second break point to take a 4-3 lead and converted his third set point in the 10th game. Ruud broke twice in the first and third games to race out to a 4-0 lead. Hurkacz saved three match points in the seventh game for 2-5. Ruud served out the win on his fifth match point.
