By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, March 15, 2025
World No. 13 Holger Rune topped Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4 to reach his first BNP Paribas Open final.
Photo credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography
Flashing one final forehand winner. Holger Rune erupted in a primal scream.
Dismantling Daniil Medvedev with variety, Rune roared to a 7-5, 6-4 win—and his maiden BNP Paribas Open—with a statement victory.
The 21-year-old avenged his loss to Medvedev in the 2024 quarterfinals to become the first Scandinavian men’s finalist at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden since Thomas Enqvist in 2000.
World No. 13 Rune snapped his seven-match losing streak in semifinals, securing a spot in his first final since the 2024 Brisbane.
"I tried to make it difficult for him," Rune told the media in Indian Wells. "I tried to mix it up, making the shots, every shot that he has to play annoying for him. Slices, slow slices, some mixing the tempo, hitting hard on some, looping some.
"It was very much also what I felt was working, you know. Yeah, there is definitely some things when he's far back to come to the net. Serve and volley was also great today.
"I think a lot of things, but yeah, mostly I was clear mentally, and that made me find solutions."
Two-time finalist Medvedev suffered his fifth straight semifinal defeat as his finals drought continues. Medvedev’s last trip to a title match came in Indian Wells last March.
Rune will play for his fifth career title against left-hander Jack Draper.
British No. 1 Draper snapped two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's 16-match winning streak in Indian Wells scoring a stirring 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 victory. A streaking Draper scored his fourth Top 5 win today and will debut in the ATP Top 10 on Monday.
In their lone prior meeting, Rune swept Draper 6-4, 6-2 in the 2024 Cincinnati quarterfinals. Draper went on to reach the US Open semifinals.
"Jack and I played once last year in Cincinnati. It was very different conditions than here. Much faster surface," Rune said. "Yeah, it was a good match for me. Again, he's gained a lot of confidence.
"He's been improving. He's a lefty. Great serve. I think he's been serving well this tournament. Yeah, he's gonna be excited. Looking forward."
Medvedev rallied from 2-4 down in the final set edging Arthur Fils 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) in a pulsating quarterfinal victory.
Today, Medvedev could not generate enough offense to repel Rune.
The lanky Russian ran into trouble in the 11th game. Medvedev floated a backhand long then watched Run rip a diagonal forehand winner for double break point.
The fifth seed tried the surprise serve-and-volley, was in prime position for a routine backhand volley, but bungled it into the tape as Rune broke for 6-5.
The Dane was dishing an unsettling diet of no pace slice backhands with some higher hopping forehand drives.
Supplanting his grunt with a growl, Medvedev stung a superb running forehand pass to save set point No. 1.
On his second set point, Rune challenged the 6’6” Russian with high topspin and Medvedev missed a leaping backhand wide. Rune took the 61-minute opener with a confident close to the set.
Versatility, quickness around the court and a greater comfort level from more areas of the court are all assets for Rune, who applied them to stretch his lead.
The Dane’s ability to switch spins and play with more finesse were evident.
Botching a couple of drop shots, Medvedev fell into triple break point hole in the third game. When Medvedev netted a running backhand, Rune had the love break for a 2-1 lead.
Rune rolled through 13 consecutive points—three love games—taking a 3-1 lead.
Former US Open champion Medvedev was struggling to penetrate the court, did not have much of an answer when Rune soft-balled him and his touch game was a mess today.
Sliding an ace down the T, Rune held at 15 for 4-2.
Serving for his first final since January of 2024, Rune rallied from love-30 down and drew an error for match point.
Slashing his 15th forehand winner, Rune closed a statement win in 99 minutes with a piercing scream.