Indian Wells: Rune Dominates Medvedev to Advance to Fourth ATP Masters 1000 Final
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Synopsis
Holger Rune ended his seven-match semifinal slump by defeating Daniil Medvedev at the Indian Wells Open, marking his entry into his fourth ATP Masters 1000 final. Rune's performance demonstrated tactical acumen and resilience as he continues his impressive run this season.
Key Takeaways
- Rune ends semifinal losing streak
- Defeats Medvedev with solid tactics
- Climbs to No. 11 in ATP Live Rankings
- First tour-level final since January 2022
- Next stop: Miami for Medvedev
Indian Wells, March 16 (NationPress) Holger Rune ended his seven-match semifinal losing streak by defeating two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev at the Indian Wells Open, securing his spot in his fourth ATP Masters 1000 final.
The 21-year-old Danish player showcased an impressive performance, conquering Medvedev with scores of 7-5, 6-4, and marking his first tour-level final appearance since January of last year in Brisbane.
"The job is not finished yet, but it feels incredible. Competing against Daniil is one of the most challenging tasks for me on Tour. I managed to defeat him the first time we played, but we are both familiar with each other's game. I definitely had the right tactics, though it was still very tough since he works hard and is extremely consistent. Thus, I’m very proud of myself," Rune stated.
“It’s about finding the right tempo, and fortunately, I have good leg work, allowing me to reach many balls. It’s a very specific tactical strategy that I developed with my coach yesterday evening and again this morning. It’s all about discovering the right pace and which shots to utilize, as many players tend to miss too many shots against Daniil. He compels you to take more risks, so I’m really proud that I found the correct rhythm,” he added.
The 2022 Paris champion arrived in Indian Wells with a 6-6 record this season, but he is now experiencing his best performance of the year. After defeating World No. 9 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round and No. 6 Medvedev, Rune has climbed to No. 11 in the ATP Live Rankings, achieving multiple Top-10 victories in a tournament for the fourth time in his career, as reported by ATP.
Medvedev was aiming to reach the Indian Wells final for the third consecutive year, having been defeated by Carlos Alcaraz on both previous occasions, but he could not respond to Rune's tactical brilliance. Medvedev will next continue his pursuit of his first title since Rome in 2023 as he heads to Miami next week.
