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By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, April 30, 2022

 
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Nineteen-year-old Holger Rune beat Oscar Otte 6-4, 6-4 to set up a Munich title match vs. fellow maiden finalist Botic van de Zandschulp.

Photo credit: Getty

Big moments bring out the best in Holger Rune.

Down 1-4 in today's Munich semifinal, Rune roared through 11 of the last 15 games dispatching German Oscar Otte 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first ATP final on the red clay of Munich.

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Before a packed Munich crowd, Rune exuded energy at the finish line sprinting up to a drop shot, shoveling a crosscourt pass and erupting with a victory scream while pounding his palm over his heart. 




Yesterday, Rune celebrated his 19th birthday by beating Emil Ruusuvuori 6-0, 6-2 to advance to his maiden ATP semifinal—before receiving a birthday cake on court. 

Today, Rune showed commitment to his coming-of-age cause.

Continuing a break-out week that saw him sweep world No. 3 Alexander Zverev on Wednesday for his first Top-10 win, Rune is the third youngest Munich finalist in Open Era history.




"I'm improving every day and at the end this is what matters," Rune said. "Because at the end, I have some goals to be No. 1 in the world and you have to start somewhere. I'm happy to be in Munich."

The former junior world No. 1 has not dropped a set in four tournament wins rising 20 spots in the rankings to a career-high No. 50 in the live rankings.

Rune will play Botic van der Zandschulp for the championship in a match of maiden ATP finalists tomorrow.

Earlier, van de Zandschulp burst into his first career ATP final out-dueling Miomir Kecmanovic 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in the opening semifinal that spanned two hours, 52 minutes.

“I’m pretty tired,” said van de Zandschulp. “It was a long match, tough conditions, the court was so heavy, so I’m happy I made it through.

"It didn’t look like [I would] after the first set, so I’m really happy with the win.”




The Dutch No. 1 kept calm at closing time saving four of five break points he faced in the final set. Van de Zandschulp, who swept six straight games stopping second-seeded Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-1 yesterday, avenged his 7-6(3), 7-5 loss to Kecmanovic at Indian Wells last month.

The 26-year-old van de Zandschulp rises to a career-high rank of No. 31 in the live rankings improving to 15-9 on the season. 

Tennis Express

Cologne native Otte broke first for 3-1 then denied a break point confirming the break with a barrage of first serves for 4-1.

Midway through the set, Rune was firing with more accuracy and ambition. The 19-year-old Rune rolled through eight of nine points breaking back in the seventh game and slamming the first love hold of the match to even after eight games.



Rune roared through 16 of the last 18 points of the opening set and issued his second straight love hold to seal a one-set lead.

Capping the opening set on a five game run, Rune registered three love holds in his final five service games reeling off the last three games to close a one hour, 28-minute triumph. 


 

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