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Holger Rune records his 150th tour-level win by defeating Daniil Medvedev at the BNP Paribas Open.
By Jerome Coombe
Holger Rune snapped his seven-match losing streak in semi-finals on Saturday by overcoming two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The 21-year-old Dane delivered a high-quality display replete with variation to disrupt Medvedev 7-5, 6-4 and reach his first tour-level final since Brisbane in January last year. Resorting to the slice for 26 per cent of his shots, according to TDI Insights, Rune displayed great patience and rode a 13-point streak at the beginning of the second set to seal a one-hour, 40-minute victory.
“It means everything,” said Rune, who levelled his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Medvedev at 2-2. “The job is not over yet, but it feels amazing. Playing Daniil is one of the toughest challenges for me on Tour. I managed to beat him the first time [we played], but we know each other well. I obviously had the right tactics, but it was still so difficult because he puts in great effort and is super solid. So, I’m very proud of myself.
“It’s about finding the right tempo, and luckily I’ve got good leg work, so I can reach many balls. It’s a very specific tactical plan that I made with my coach yesterday evening and this morning. It’s about finding the right pace and which shots to hit, because so many players miss too many shots against Daniil. He makes you go for more, so I’m super proud that I managed to find the right rhythm.”
Holger becomes the milestone man ⭐️🪩
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 15, 2025
Double the reason for @holgerrune2003 to celebrate tonight as he storms into his first Indian Wells final and locks in his 150th tour-level win!!!@BNPPARIBASOPEN | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/W4F0d3TDdF
By recording his 150th tour-level win, Rune is into his fourth ATP Masters 1000 final. The 2022 Paris champion arrived in Indian Wells with a 6-6 record on the season, but is enjoying his best run of the year. After seeing off World No. 9 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round and No. 6 Medvedev, Rune is up to No. 11 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and has recorded multiple Top-10 wins in a tournament for the fourth time in his career.
Medvedev had a big look at 15/30 on Rune’s serve in the final game, but was so flummoxed by what to do with a short, lofted slice from the Dane that he overhit a drop shot to allow his opponent back in. This pattern of play ultimately proved to be the downfall for Medvedev, who hit 27 unforced errors and just 15 winners to Rune’s 20.
The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Medvedev was bidding to reach the Indian Wells final for a third consecutive year, after falling short to Carlos Alcaraz on both occasions prior, but he was unable to conjure a response to the tactical nous of Rune. Medvedev will next continue his quest to win a first trophy since Rome in 2023 when he heads to Miami next week.
Rune will face British No. 1 Jack Draper, who stunned two-time defending champion Alcaraz. It will be a first final between two players born in the 2000s above ATP 500 level.
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