Holger Rune came back from one set and a break down to beat Mariano Navone 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in a hard-fought match at the Madrid Mutua Open.
Rune was just two points from defeat at 5-7 5-6 in the second set. Navone hit two double faults before Rune converted on his break point to level forcing the second set to the tie-break. Rune went up a 5-1 lead in the third and fifth games. Navone won three games to close the gap to 4-5. Rune saved a break point to hold serve before sealing the win on his fifth match point after 2 hours and 59 minutes.
Rune set up a third round match against Tallon Griekspoor, who came back from one set down to beat Taro Daniel 4-6 6-3 6-4. Navone reached two ATP Tour finals in Rio de Janeiro and Bucharest.
Alexander Zverev did not face a break point in in his 6-3 6-2 win over Borna Coric. Zverev has improved to 4-3 in his seven head-to-head matches against Coric.
Coric saved three break points to hold serve at deuce in the fifth game of the first set before breaking serve in the seventh and ninth games to win the first set 6-3. The German player broke twice in the sixth and eighth games to win the second set 6-2. “I played quite well today. I feel well. With him it can always go both ways. He is extremely dangerous and a tough competitor. Historically someone I don’t like playing, but I am happy today, winning in straight sets and happy to be in the next round”, said Zverev.
