Tennis

Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, will face off against Holger Rune at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. This intriguing clash of styles promises to be a captivating spectacle.Berrettini, known for his straightforward approach, relies on his powerful serve and forehand to dominate his opponents. His 92% hold percentage over the past year is a testament to his exceptional serving prowess. Rune, on the other hand, is a player of immense variety, often experimenting with different shots and tactics.Despite Rune's versatility, Berrettini's consistency and experience should give him an edge in this matchup. Berrettini's serve is a formidable weapon, and Rune's low break percentage of 17.9% this season suggests he may struggle to break Berrettini's serve consistently.Furthermore, Berrettini's return game is slightly superior to Rune's, and Rune's holding percentage on hard courts is a modest 82.4%. The quicker conditions in Cincinnati may also limit Rune's ability to exploit his variety, as Berrettini prefers shorter points.Rune's recent record against Top 10 opponents is also a concern. Despite Berrettini's current ranking of No. 42, his 2024 performances have been comparable to his form in 2021 and 2022, when he was ranked as high as No. 6.Overall, Berrettini's consistency, experience, and suitability to the Cincinnati conditions make him the favorite in this matchup. A potential third-round meeting with Carlos Alcaraz would be a fascinating test of Berrettini's credentials as a contender for the 2024 US Open title.

Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou's tumultuous player-coach relationship has hit another roadblock, with the pair mutually agreeing to part ways once again. The announcement comes just four months after they resumed their partnership, which had previously yielded significant success for Rune.Rune, the 21-year-old Danish star, took to social media to confirm the split, stating that he and Mouratoglou had "mutually decided to part ways" after "good talks." He emphasized that Mouratoglou would remain a "great friend," but that the current setup with his fellow Dane, Kenneth Carlsen, was the best for his development.Rune's relationship with Mouratoglou and his academy dates back to his teenage years. They first worked together one-on-one from October 2022 to April 2023, during which time Rune ascended the rankings and claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at Paris-Bercy. However, their first partnership ended abruptly, with Rune's mother and manager citing "ego clashes" as a contributing factor.In February, after brief stints with Boris Becker and Severin Luthi, Rune rehired Mouratoglou, expressing confidence in their shared "high goals." However, the reunion has proven short-lived, with Rune's ranking slipping to No. 17 in the world, his lowest since before his Paris-Bercy breakthrough.The news of the split coincides with a challenging health period for Rune, who was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to a lingering bone bruise in his wrist. He was expected to compete in singles and mixed doubles alongside Caroline Wozniacki, but his Olympic debut was cut short.Rune remains optimistic about his future, stating that he is "looking forward to being healthy and back on track again." He will continue to train at the Mouratoglou Academy, which has been a valuable resource for his development.

Holger Rune, the rising Danish tennis star, has regrettably withdrawn from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris due to a persistent bone bruise in his left wrist. The 16th-ranked player, who has twice reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that he had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to represent his country.Rune's withdrawal is a significant blow to Denmark's Olympic hopes, as he was expected to be a strong contender in both singles and mixed doubles. He had been paired with former world No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki in the mixed doubles event, with the duo serving as the top alternate team.The wrist injury has plagued Rune throughout the clay and grass seasons, forcing him to retire from his quarterfinal match in Hamburg and withdraw from a warm-up event in Croatia. Medical examinations revealed that the injury was "not looking good," prompting Rune to prioritize his long-term health."I am really sorry that I will be unable to play the Olympics," Rune said in a statement. "It's something I've been looking forward to playing and being a part of. I have played with pain in my wrist throughout both the clay and grass season, so I have to take the medical recommendations seriously."Rune's absence from the Olympics is a setback for his career, as it delays his Olympic debut. He narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2020 Games in Tokyo. However, the 19-year-old remains optimistic and plans to cheer on his fellow Danish athletes from home."I will follow the Olympics from home and cheer on all the Danish athletes and I hope and believe that we can bring home many medals from Paris. Come on, Denmark!" Rune added.Rune's withdrawal highlights the importance of injury prevention and management in high-level sports. Despite his disappointment, he has made the wise decision to prioritize his health and ensure his long-term success on the court.

Hamburg European Open: Seeded Players Dominate First RoundThe Hamburg European Open witnessed a clean sweep for seeded players in the first round on Tuesday, with all five seeds advancing to the next stage.Second seed Holger Rune, fresh from his Wimbledon round of 16 appearance, displayed his dominance with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Fabian Marozsan. The Dane's impressive performance included saving all four break points he faced, extending his season record to 26-14. Despite an injury concern that emerged during the match, Rune expressed optimism about his recovery.Third seed Sebastian Baez continued his strong clay-court form with a 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Dominik Koepfer. The Argentine is aiming for his third clay-court title of the season, having already secured victories in Rio de Janeiro and Santiago.Fifth seed Arthur Fils faced a tougher challenge in his opener, but ultimately prevailed over Jaume Munar in a three-set battle that lasted over two hours. Fils, who reached the semifinals in Hamburg last year, displayed his resilience in coming back from a set down to secure the victory.Seventh seed Luciano Darderi and eighth seed Zhang Zhizhen also progressed to the second round. Darderi overcame Nick Hardt in three sets, while Zhang eased past Thiago Seyboth Wild in straight sets.Notably, all five seeded players who advanced are set to represent their nations at the upcoming Paris Olympics, which will be held at Roland Garros. This adds an extra layer of significance to their performances in Hamburg.

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is poised to reach his seventh consecutive quarterfinal at the All England Club on Monday. Aiming to equal the record of eight Wimbledon titles and claim his 25th Grand Slam crown, Djokovic overcame Australia's Alexei Popyrin in four sets on Saturday to advance to the fourth round for the 16th time.Djokovic's path to the quarterfinals presents a formidable challenge in the form of Danish sensation Holger Rune. The 15th-seeded Rune staged a remarkable comeback in the third round, rallying from two sets down to defeat Frenchman Quentin Halys. Djokovic acknowledged Rune's exceptional talent and competitive spirit, promising a thrilling encounter on Monday.Meanwhile, Yulia Putintseva, who stunned world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round, will face former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the last eight. Putintseva's victory over Swiatek extended her impressive grass-court season, which included a title at the Birmingham Classic. Ostapenko, known for her emotional outbursts, will pose a significant threat to Putintseva's Wimbledon aspirations.Another intriguing fourth-round matchup features lucky loser Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The towering Frenchman, who initially failed to qualify for the tournament, has seized his unexpected opportunity with both hands. Mpetshi Perricard's colossal serve has propelled him to the last 16, where he will face Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti. A victory for Mpetshi Perricard would mark a historic achievement, as he would become the first lucky loser to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals since 1995.As the Wimbledon tournament enters its eighth day, these three fourth-round matches promise to deliver captivating tennis and potentially shape the destiny of the championship.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is eagerly anticipating his fourth-round Wimbledon clash with Holger Rune, a rising star whose aggressive style of play mirrors Djokovic's own.Both players advanced to the second week of the tournament on Saturday. Rune, the No. 15 seed, overcame a two-set deficit to defeat qualifier Quentin Halys in a thrilling five-set encounter. Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, dispatched Alexei Popyrin in four sets on Centre Court.In a post-match press conference, Djokovic praised Rune's work ethic and dedication. "He's been a very dedicated guy," said Djokovic. "Once he sees something is off, he's going to go out on the practice court and he's going to work on it."Djokovic and Rune have built a strong rapport since their first meeting at the 2021 US Open. Rune, who has practiced with Djokovic earlier in the tournament, joked about requesting Court 18 for their upcoming match, where he staged his comeback against Halys."Definitely going to request Court 18 again next match," laughed Rune. "I'm joking."Rune acknowledged Djokovic's impressive form and expressed his determination to play at his best. "He seems like he's playing very well, feeling confident," said Rune. "Definitely have to play on my best level to have a chance to win, so that's what I'm going to try to do."The Djokovic-Rune clash promises to be a captivating spectacle, with both players known for their aggressive baseline play and relentless determination. Djokovic will be aiming to extend his dominance on grass, while Rune will be eager to prove that he can compete with the very best.

Wimbledon 2024: Holger Rune and Boris Becker Trade Barbs Ahead of TournamentThe 2024 Wimbledon Championships are set to begin, and the drama is already heating up off the court. Former world No. 1 Boris Becker, who briefly coached Holger Rune in 2023-2024, has raised questions about the Dane's current coaching situation.Becker tweeted his confusion over whether Rune and his current coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, were still working together, claiming not to have seen them together in the lead-up to Wimbledon. Rune, seeded No. 15 at SW19, responded swiftly, calling out Becker for making his inquiry public."Super strange you don't ask me this question directly as we text together about other stuff," Rune tweeted. "The answer to your question is yes we work together. Sharing the tournaments between us as planned."The exchange highlights the complex dynamics between players and coaches in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. Rune, a rising star who reached the French Open quarterfinals in 2023, is seeking to make a deep run at Wimbledon. A potential fourth-round clash with Novak Djokovic looms large, but Rune must first overcome first-round opponent Soon-woo Kwon.Kwon, a former world No. 52, has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Rune, including a four-set victory at the 2022 Australian Open. Rune will need to be at his best to overcome the South Korean and advance in the tournament.The Becker-Rune exchange adds an extra layer of intrigue to Wimbledon 2024. As the tournament unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how the relationship between the two men evolves and whether it has any impact on Rune's performance on the court.

Holger Rune's inconsistent form continued on Monday as he suffered a first-round upset at the cinch Championships, losing 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to Jordan Thompson. The No. 7 seed, who has struggled for consistency in 2024, failed to capitalize on a set advantage against the unseeded Australian.Rune, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2023, was looking to make a smooth transition from clay to grass. However, he struggled to find his rhythm against Thompson, who started the season with a stunning victory over Rafael Nadal.Thompson, ranked No. 32, is enjoying a career-best season. He won his first ATP title in Los Cabos and captured his first Masters 1000 doubles title with Sebastian Korda.In the decider, Thompson raced out to a 3-0 lead and held his nerve to secure his 11th career Top 20 victory. He will now face former world No. 1 Andy Murray, who will play Alexei Popryin on Tuesday.Meanwhile, No. 3 seed Grigor Dimitrov made a strong start to his Queen's Club campaign, defeating Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 6-2. Dimitrov will face the winner of the first-round clash between Sebastian Korda and Karen Khachanov.Rune's early exit is a setback in his bid to regain his top-10 ranking. The young Dane has seen his ranking drop from No. 7 to No. 15 in the last six months, with early exits in three of the five Masters 1000 tournaments in 2024.

Alexander Zverev's resilience was tested once again at the French Open as he battled through a grueling five-set marathon against Holger Rune in the last 16. The German fourth seed emerged victorious after four hours and 11 minutes of intense play, securing a 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 triumph.Zverev's victory sets up a quarter-final clash against Alex de Minaur. It also marks the second-latest finish in the tournament's history, ending at 1:40 am local time, just behind Novak Djokovic's 3:07 am win over Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday morning."What a match," exclaimed Zverev after the epic encounter. "I'm lucky to be through."The German is aiming for his fourth consecutive Roland Garros semi-final appearance, having reached the last eight for the sixth time in seven years. However, his performance comes amidst an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.Zverev's path to the quarter-finals has been far from straightforward. In the third round, he overcame Tallon Griekspoor in a deciding set, despite trailing by a double-break at 4-1."I've played a total of eight-and-a-half hours over the last three days, so I need to recover," said Zverev. "I need to do everything possible to be ready for the quarter-final match."Zverev's victory highlights his determination and ability to overcome adversity. Despite the challenges he faces both on and off the court, he remains a formidable force in the world of tennis.