(Video) Holger Rune pulls off shot of the tournament with crazy tweener against Stefanos Tsitsipas at Indian Wells

Holger Rune improved his head-to-head record over Stefanos Tsitsipas to 4-0 after a comprehensive victory in Indian Wells fourth round.

(Video) Holger Rune pulls off shot of the tournament with crazy tweener against Stefanos Tsitsipas at Indian Wells

Holger Rune hit a tweener against Stefanos Tsitsipas (Image via ATP/X)

Holger Rune has inched closer to his first Indian Wells title after securing a 6-4, 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. During the 90-minute clash on Tuesday (March 11), Rune hit an incredible tweener to save a break point, which is being dubbed the shot of the tournament.

Tsitsipas, after losing the first set, was on the verge of claiming the eighth game of the second set. The scores were locked at 40-15 with Rune leading 4-3 in the set.

YouTube video

Rune was serving, and at first, both the players were hitting the shots from the baseline. The Dane, expecting the ball to land near the net, scampered forward and was successful in hitting it.

FS Video

Tsitsipas then sent the ball just inside the baseline. Rune sprinted back and was just in time to return it by hitting a stunning tweener which the Greek failed to return as the 21-year-old raised his arms to absorb the crowd’s applause.

Watch the video here:

The two-time Grand Slam finalist entered the tournament with the aim of winning back-to-back titles, having lifted the Dubai Open over a week ago with a straight-set win over Felix Auger-Aliassime. He returned to the top 10 after clinching an ATP title for the first time since 2024 Monte Carlo Masters. Rune, on the other hand, is searching for his first title since the 2023 Bavarian International Tennis Championships.

Holger Rune happy with his dominating performance over Stefanos Tsitsipas

Holger Rune has now improved his head-to-head record over Stefanos Tsitsipas to 4-0. Prior to their match in the California desert, they met in the 2022 French Open fourth round, the 2022 Stockholm final, and in the group stage of the 2023 ATP Finals (where Tsitsipas gave a walkover to Rune).

Holger Rune
Holger Rune (Image via ATP/X)

I think it was an extremely good match from my side from start to finish. I stayed very committed to my game plan and mentally I was very good. I think that made the difference, how composed I could start. Because Stef is back in shape I think it is fair to say. It was a cool battle.

Holger Rune said during his on-court interview

After winning his 16th top 10 win, Rune has now progressed to his second Indian Wells quarterfinals on the trot. Last year, he was beaten by eventual finalist Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.

The World No.13 is yet to advance to the semifinal stage in the first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season. As he reached back-to-back quarterfinals, Rune became the first Scandinavian man to make it to the last eight stage since Stefan Edberg (1994-95) in the tournament.

Holger Rune to lock horns with Tallon Griekspoor next

Holger Rune got back to winning ways after an inconsistent start to the season. He suffered defeat in his Brisbane International opener, then made it to the fourth round at the Australian Open.

Holger Rune
Holger Rune (Image via ATP/X)

Rune then fell in his second-round match in Rotterdam and had disappointing campaigns in the Golden Swing. He arrived in the States after suffering food poisoning during the Mexican Open.

Rune, after moving past Corentin Moutet, Ugo Humbert, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, has set up a quarterfinal clash with Tallon Griekspoor, who beat Yosuke Watanuki in the previous round. Earlier during the tournament, Griekspoor clinched his career-best when he knocked out World No.2 Alexander Zverev in the second round.

Griekspoor entered the match on the back of a semifinal finish in the Dubai Open, where Tsitsipas had ended his campaign with a straight-set win. The 12th seed has met the Dutchman twice and lost both matches. They were pitted against each other in Hamburg (2022) and in last year’s Madrid Open.