ATP Munich: Rune with a crazy victory to defend the title
Botic van de Zandschulp gave up his first career title at the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Munich. The Dutchman missed four match points against Holger Rune and lost 4: 6, 6: 1 and 6: 7 (3).
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Apr 23, 2023, 04:37 pm
If Botic van de Zandschulp and Holger Rune have met on the ATP tour so far, then exclusively in the final of the BMW Open in Munich. And neither of the two meetings took a perfectly normal course: in 2022 the Dutchman with heart problems had to give up in the middle of the first set, a year later Rune had such problems with his shoulder that from the middle of round two he was almost unable to hit a forehand.
With a score of 5:2 in the third set, Van de Zandschulp already looked like the sure winner: he served to win the tournament and had two match points at 40:15. But Rune didn't want to give up yet and managed another break. Van de Zandschulp showed nerves for a few minutes. At 5:4 and 30:40 Rune actually had another chance to equalize, but twisted his ankle. And missed a simple backhand pass. But the fourth chance was there - and it was suddenly 5:5.
Rune wins crucial tiebreak
But of course it wasn't that yet: Because Botic van de Zandschulp got the next break straight away. And led again 40:15. What followed? Four points in a row for Holger Rune. And with it a tiebreak. Rune quickly led 4:1, van de Zandschulp came close again. But in the end, Holger Rune actually had the better end for himself.
He feels terrible, Rune explained immediately after his success in the on-court interview. But what should Botic van de Zandschulp say first?
Victory in doubles in Munich went to two Austrians: Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler defeated local heroes Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz 6:3 and 6:4.
Here is the individual tableau in Munich
munichmap