Tokio
Rune reaches its sixth SF of 2024 in Tokyo
He is the fifth player with the most semifinals this season
September 29, 2024
PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images
Holger Rune is looking for his first crown of the year in Beijing.
By ATP Editorial Staff
Although Holger Rune’s showcase remains empty this season, the truth is that the Dane has six appearances in the semifinals at ATP Tour tournaments this season. The most recent was signed this Sunday at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships.
The No. 6 seed in Tokyo withstood local favorite Kei Nishikori in a tough quarterfinal test 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes. The Japanese, who dominated 3-5 in the third set, could not close his fifth appearance in the semifinals of the ATP 500 in his country.
More SF this season
Jannik Sinner: 9
Alexander Zverev: 8
Casper Ruud: 7
Lorenzo Musetti: 6
Holger Rune: 6
The Dane has appeared among the best four in an ATP Tour tournament this season, in addition to Tokyo, Brisbane (final), Montpellier, Acapulco, Munich and the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati.
To get this far in the Japanese capital he has had to knock down several steps, such as the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the first round or the locals Nishioka and Nishikori. In the quarterfinals, he also had to save a match point with 4-5, 30/40 in the third set on the scoreboard.
“His hitting of the ball and his sensations were incredible and it was a great challenge for me,” Rune said in the courtside interview. “I had to find another gear to beat him and it was still almost not enough, but I managed to find that level and the fighting spirit to beat him.”
The Dane finished the match with 39 winners, according to Infosys ATP statistics, to record his first victory in the Lexus ATP Head2Head. Rune also saved six of the eight break point chances she conceded to set her course for the semi-finals.
Now, the No. 16 of the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, who is pursuing his second consecutive qualification to the Nitto ATP Finals, will compete for a place in the final with the French #NextGenATP Arthur Fils, who defeated the No. 8 seed Ben Shelton 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) in three hours.
The Frenchman, who occupies first place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, reached the eighth semifinal of his career, where he has a 3-4 record at ATP Tour level. Fils and Rune record a 1-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head.
On the other side of the draw, Tomas Machac made his way into the semifinals, beating American qualifier Alex Michelsen 7-6(2), 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes.
The Czech will try to reach his second final of the year – he also did it in Geneva – against the Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who saw Jack Draper retire after one hour and 14 minutes with 7-5, 2-1, on the scoreboard.
Did you know that…?
Holger Rune is the second Dane to reach the semi-finals at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, after his coach Kenneth Carlsen did so in 2002.
Source: https://www.atptour.com/es/news/tokio-2024-domingo-cuartos-rune-nishikori
