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As we continue to review the best moments of the 2023 ATP Tour season, we bring you a closer look at one of the year’s unforgettable moments, straight from the source.
Holger Rune might have been feeling extra pressure as defending champion at the BMW Open by American Express in Munich this April, but the Dane handled it in stride. After three dominant wins earned him a place in the final, he claimed the opening set against Botic van de Zandschulp to move to the brink of his first successful title defense on the ATP Tour.
But there would be more twists to come — both literally and figuratively.
One year after van de Zandschulp retired in the Munich final against Rune, the rematch at the ATP 250 overdelivered in both the quality of the tennis and the drama of the scoreline.
“I knew the final was going to be the toughest match of the tournament,” Rune told ATP Uncovered, speaking ahead of his Nitto ATP Finals debut. “Botic played some of his best tennis in this kind of event, so I knew I had to be really ready. But I was feeling confident.”
Rune entered with clear tactics but was “a little bit confused about the game plan” in the second set, which his opponent dominated. The Dane dealt with several physical issues in the final set, including a twisted ankle, but continued to fight on the red clay despite what he felt was a “three, four per cent chance of winning”.
He trailed 2-5 in the third set and faced two match points in a match that was recognised in ATPTour.com’s Best Of 2023 series.
Watch the full feature above to relive the match — and the dramatic final set — through Rune’s eyes and find out how the exhausted Dane changed his tactics and his mindset to push through the finish.
Read all stories in our Best Of 2023 review.
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