UTS1 Day 9 preview: Holger Rune “The Machine” vs Corentin Moutet “The Tornado”

Corentin Moutet ripped through the South of France last weekend, leaving a stream of wreckage in his wake. The only thing missing? A victory. After a pair of stinging losses to Goffin and Tsitsipas, the tumultuous Frenchman left with nothing but a bad taste in his mouth.

“He was working so hard to keep himself calm and to keep it all together, analyses Pete Odgers, the UTS commentator. But that sometimes doesn’t happen on the tennis court. But I thought his overall game style against Tsitsipas, was incredible. This guy can be a top 30 player, no doubt about that.”

Moutet will look for a change in fortune this weekend when he faces the talented but green Holger Rune. The 17-year-old Rune, the 2019 Roland-Garros junior champion, is making his UTS debut on this occasion.

“I think I move well on the court, I stay close to the baseline, play aggressive,” Rune describes himself to us. “I try to come often to the net.”

“Now, he is the favourite. Can he deal with the pressure?”

The pressure will be on the Frenchman’s shoulders in this battle of young guns.

Pete Odgers: “He was the underdog in last weekend ‘s matches, and royally entertained and showcased his talents. But now it flips. Now, he is the favourite. Can he deal with the pressure of having the spotlight on him, expected to produce?”

“Rune, on the other hand, has nothing to lose. He’s never even faced a top 100 player before. This could be his shining moment in the sun.”

That is unless the dark and stormy Tornado takes him down.