Holger Rune is into his sixth ATP semi-final of the season after the Dane defeated Kei Nishikori 3-6 6-2 7-5.
It was a tough task but Rune broke Japanese hearts as he defeated Nishikori in a thrilling three set match which saw the Dane be very aggressive towards the polite home crowd.
Nevertheless, Rune held his nerve and saved match point at 3-5 down in the final set as he roared back to defeat the former US Open finalist.
After the match Rune praised his fighting spirit as his bid for a first ATP title this season continues, “I had to find another gear to be able to beat him and it was almost not enough, but I managed to find that level and find that fighting spirit to beat him,” Rune explained to the ATP website.
“His ball striking and feel on the ball was incredible and it was very challenging for me.”
Now Rune will aim to reach his second ATP final of the season when he takes on either Arthur Fils or defending Ben Shelton in the semi-finals.
The Dane’s only final of the season came in the first week of the year when he lost to Grigor Dimitrov in Brisbane.
Rune has a 1-1 head-to-head against Fils while he leads the head-to-head against Shelton 1-0.
