Former champion Holger Rune, the top seed for this year’s edition of the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm, reached his third consecutive quarter-final on the tour where he will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry,
It was difficult to finish it, but obviously I’m very happy with my performance. I think it was a great match for both of us. Holger Rune
The Dane won relatively easily in his opening match at the Royal Tennis Hall on Thursday, beating Marton Fucsovics 6-4 6-4, while the Argentinian had a few problems with Miomir Kecaanovic before progressing 6-4 4-6 6-3.
Should Rune go on and regain the Stockholm title he won in 2022, he would leapfrog Casper Ruud into 11th place in the Race to Turin standings. The Norwegian is the second seed at the event and has already advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Marin Cilic 7-6(2) 6-4. If all goes well, that will be decided in the final.
The Dane improved to 2-0 in his series against Fucsovivs, who had break points on Rune’s serve when he was serving for the match. The top seed saved 8 of 9 points in the one hour and 48 minute match, with the Hungarian’s only break coming late in the opening set at 5-2.
“He really swung the ball, so I had to play really well,” Rune said of his opponent’s late attack. “I had to step it up at the end because he didn’t want to hand it to me. It was hard to close it out, but I was obviously very happy with my performance. It was a great match, I think, for both of us.”
Earlier on Thursday, fourth seed Ugo Humbert defeated Matteo Berrettini 7-6(5) 6-3. The Frenchman took advantage of both break opportunities and did not concede a break point on his own serve.
Until his fourth quarter-final of the season, the Frenchman will look to make it a perfect 4-0 at that stage when he takes on another Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Also out is the British Jacob Fearnley, who found the Swedish wildcard Elias Ymer too hot to lose 6-2 6-2 in the last match of the day.
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