Danish Next Gen player Holger Rune battled past Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (10-8) to reach his third consecutive ATP Tour final at the Swiss Indoors in Basel after Sofia and Stockolm. Rune saved four set points in the tie-break of the second set, which could have taken the match into a deciding tie-break.
Rune, who entered the Swiss ATP 500 tournament at a career-high of World Number 25, has moved up to number 18 after today’s semifinal. The Dane could rise as high as number 16 if he wins the final against Felix Auger Aliassime. Rune has extended his winning streak to nine consecutive matches continuing his good period of form, that includes his second ATP Tour title of the season in Stockolm one week ago. This year Rune also won the ATP 250 title in Munich.
Bautista Agut saved two break points in the first and third games of the opening set. Both players held on their next service games en route to the tie-break. Both players traded mini-breaks in the first two points. Rune won six consecutive points with three mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-1.
Rune saved a total of six break points in the second set. The Dane won six consecutive points from 2-6 down to seal the second set tie-break 8-6.
Rune fired 46 winners, including 11 aces, and fended off seven break points he faced. This week he has saved 11 break points across 41 service games.
“It was brutal. It was a very tough match with really long rallies. He played some very solid, very aggressive with his forehand. I just tried to play as aggressive as I could,take every chance I got to follow my shots forward to the net and just focus on my serve. I think I managed the nerves well, especially the second set was super tough. I thought we were going to three sets but I am happy that I managed to stay focused”, said Holger Rune.
