Holger Rune on his tweener: ‘Felt like Roger Federer, however I used to be mistaken’

Holger Rune earned a notable victory within the fourth spherical in Indian Wells. The Dane confronted an in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas and earned a 6-4, 6-4 win in an hour and 28 minutes. The younger Dane was glad together with his stage. 

He additionally performed among the best factors of the match whereas saving a break level within the eighth recreation of the second set. Tsitsipas’ lob landed proper on the baseline, and Rune had just one choice to delay the purpose. 

The 21-year-old embraced a tweener that flew over his opponent and brought about an error, serving to him to disclaim a break level. Describing his artful shot, Holger admitted he thought he did it in Roger Federer’s type.

Whereas it turned out to be beneath’s the Swiss Maestro’s stage, it was one of many most interesting tweeners Holger has ever hit. 

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 11, 2025

Stefanos and Holger performed 5 factors earlier than the rain despatched them off the courtroom for 50 minutes. They returned and completed the match with out extra interruptions. The youthful participant outplayed his rival within the pivotal moments and introduced the win residence in straight units. 

Rune served effectively and saved 5 of six break factors. He stole 43% of the return factors and generated three breaks from 5 alternatives. The 21-year-old had the higher hand from the baseline, in service winners and on the internet, rising on the high as a deserved winner. 

Holger Rune, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Tsitsipas saved two break factors within the third recreation of the duel earlier than going through extra points at 3-3. Rune landed a forehand winner for a break and a 4-3 lead. The Greek responded with a forehand winner within the subsequent one, pulling the break again and locking the outcome at 4-4. 

Holger stored his composure and offered one other break in recreation 9 with a forehand winner. The Dane held in recreation ten for 6-4 in 45 minutes. They reached 2-2 within the second set earlier than Tsitsipas skilled a setback. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He missed a 40-15 lead and missed a volley on the internet to drop serve and fall a set and a break behind. Rune closed the sixth recreation with a backhand winner earlier than providing his rival two break probabilities two video games later. 

Holger saved the primary with a talked about tweener and erased the second to get out of jail and transfer 5-3 up. The Dane served for the win at 5-4 and held at love, shifting excessive and reaching the quarter-final. 

Holger Rune, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

“I think it felt better on the court, but it also looked good on the phone. I thought I looked like Roger Federer when I hit it, but that was not the case. That was disappointing as it definitely looked better from my perspective. That was such an important moment.

Stefanos’ lob clicked on the baseline and I thought what to do next. The first instinct was to hit the tweener. I tried to make it, but I did not think it will land in. It turned out to be one of the best tweeners I hit in my life,” Holger Rune stated.