DailyExpertNews
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Teenager Holger Rune surprised Novak Djokovic in the final of the Paris Masters on Sunday, beating the 21-time grand slam champion 3-6 6-3 7-5.
The 19-year-old Rune, who played in his first Masters 1000 final, lost the first set and came out of a glitch in the second to tie the match.
He then had to curb his nerves in the decider and broke for a 6-5 lead before saving six break points to take the biggest title of his career.
The win makes Rune the youngest champion in Paris since Boris Becker in 1986 and sees him reach the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time.
“I want to start by congratulating Novak a lot as well,” he told Djokovic, who is 16 years his senior, in his post-match interview.
“You are one of my favorite players, I’ve been watching you since I was a little kid, practicing with you. It’s a pleasure to be able to share the court with you now.”
After 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz’s first grand slam title at the US Open in September, Rune now looks poised to join the Spaniard as one of the game’s rising stars.
Djokovic had said Rune “reminds me of myself” ahead of Sunday’s final, and in the final, the Dane had to channel the mental toughness and never-say-die attitude that characterized much of Djokovic’s career.
The win capped off a great week for Rune, after beating five top-10 players over the course of the tournament, while also saving match points against Stan Wawrinka in the first round.
When he won an epic 16-minute game to complete the win against Djokovic, Rune lay on the ground, covering his face in disbelief with his hands.
“If you told me four weeks ago, I’d be in the top 10…I’d say, ‘What, sorry?'” he said. “Now I’m here and I’m super proud.”