Rune rebounds in Milan to beat Cerundolo

The Dane got his first win on the board in Italy and condemned his opponent to a second straight defeat

Holger Rune at the 2021 US Open (Panoramic)

November 10, 2021

Next Gen Finals | Draw | Order of play

Holger Rune brought his A-game against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, winning 4-1, 4-2, 1-4, 4-1 and bouncing back from defeat yesterday to put himself in contention in Group A of the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals.

“Yesterday was not easy because Carlos [Alcaraz] played very well and it was a high level,” Rune admitted afterwards. “It is never easy when you play well and lose the first two sets. I learned a lot and took all the good things and experience into the match today. I played aggressively and came into the net, so I was really pleased.”

This was their first ever meeting. Cerundolo has made the second-biggest jump in the Top 100 from last year, climbing 250 spots from No 341 to No 91, while Rune is currently at a career-high ranking of world No 109, rising a huge 402 spots since last year.

Cerundolo won eight points in a row to take the third set and put himself in contention, but Rune recovered from the wobble to finish the job in one hour and 17 minutes. He hit 23 winners compared to the Argentinian’s eight, serving four aces albeit with five double-faults. He was lax with his break points, though, taking only three of 14, and none of his three chances in the third set.