Denmark’s Holger Rune created history as he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final of the Rolex Paris Masters. The youngster bested the veteran in three sets by 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to claim his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown.
Rune also became the first player to beat five top 10 players to win an ATP title. With this win, Rune also entered the top 10 players in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and now takes 10th place in the ladder. The Danish player took a jump of eight places after his title run.
Meanwhile, Djokovic was able to take the first set convincingly. The Serbian had the youngster on the backfoot at 0-40 in the opening game of the second set. However, the youngster was able to hold his serve. Djokovic had a 3-1 lead in the third set but Rune once again came back into the match.
“It means everything to me, a perfect way to finish the week,” said Rune. “It’s a privilege to share the court with Novak.”
“I’m feeling lovely to be honest, it’s the best feeling,” said Rune. “If you told me four weeks ago, I would be Top 10… I would be like ‘What, sorry?’. Now I’m here and I’m super proud.”
Rune admitted that the 12th game of the final set was the most stressful game of his career but he was able to hold his nerves when it mattered the most.
“It was the most stressful game of my life,” said the Dane of the marathon 12th game of the third set. “My heart was almost in my brain. I was already starting to think about the tie-break. I’m very proud I could finish it.”
Earlier in the week, Rune had beaten the likes of Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Felix Auger-Aliassime to advance to the final. The teenager has been in sublime form as he has won 19 out of the last 21 matches he has played on the tour.
