As projected, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune will battle in the Australian Open fourth round on Monday! The 21-year-old Dane survived the stern Miomir Kecmanovic challenge in the third round at Margaret Court Arena.
Holger ousted Miomir 6-7, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and 27 minutes, moving into the last 16 at Majors for the seventh time. The better-ranked player trailed two sets to one and 4-2 in the fourth set, knocking on the exit door. However, the young gun recovered and escaped!
Holger rattled off four games to introduce a decider. He took charge from 3-4 in the final set to cross the finish line and arrange a thrilling clash against world no. 1!
Never count this man out 🚫@holgerrrune2003 • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/VmI0j5R90s
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2025
Rune fired 16 aces and outplayed his rival behind the first serve. The Serb presented more efficient numbers behind the second and stayed competitive until the end. The Dane threw everything at his opponent, landing 83 winners and 55 unforced errors!
Miomir embraced a 45-26 ratio, giving everything to prevail but missing his chances. Holger took seven points more than his rival. The 13th seed generated 15 break points and seized seven, including the crucial ones in the second part of the fourth set.
Holger Rune, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Kecmanovic seized five of eight break points, losing ground in the closing stages and experiencing a heartbreaking loss. Nothing separated them in the mid-range and most extended rallies, and Rune built the advantage in the shortest ones up to four strokes.
Holger earned a break in the fifth game of the opener. The young gun wasted game points in the next one and suffered a break to bring Kecmanovic back to 3-3. Both players served well in the remaining games and introduced a tie break.
Miomir made a furious start and opened a 6-1 advantage with a backhand down the line return winner. Holger claimed two points on the return and saved two more set points for 5-6. However, the Serb landed a forehand drive-volley winner in the 12th point, wrapping up the opener in 55 minutes.
Miomir Kecmanovic & Holger Rune, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The 13th seed painted a forehand winner in the second game of the second set for an early advantage. Rune served well and moved 4-1 in front. He saved a break point in the seventh game with a service winner and forged a 5-2 advantage.
The Dane served for the set at 5-3 and hit a powerful serve on a set point, leveling the overall score after an hour and a half. Holger secured another break in the third game of the third set. Miomir recovered and pulled it back at love in the next one after the rival’s loose forehand.
The Serb held after a deuce in the ninth game and made a push on the return at 4-5. The Dane sprayed a costly double fault on a set point, falling two sets to one behind after two hours and two minutes. Kecmanovic took charge and served well early in the fourth set.
Holger Rune, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Miomir grabbed a break at love in the sixth game after Holger’s forehand mistake, moving 4-2 up and closer to the finish line. With no room for errors, Rune climbed back from 0-30 in the seventh game and landed a backhand winner to pull the break back and return to the positive side.
The 13th seed fired a forehand winner in the ninth game for a break point and welcomed the rival’s backhand mistake for the second straight break and a 5-4 lead. Holger served for the set in game ten and landed an ace, forcing a decider after two hours and 42 minutes.
Miomir Kecmanovic & Holger Rune, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Miomir suffered a break in the third game of the final set and pulled it back in the next one for 2-2. The Serb saved another break point in the seventh game and forged a 4-3 advantage with a service winner. Rune kept his composure and painted a forehand down the line winner in game eight for 4-4.
The better-ranked player made the ultimate push on the return in game nine. Holger drew Miomir’s mistake with a return and generated two break points. The Dane welcomed the rival’s backhand mistake, delivering a pivotal return game and opening a 5-4 lead.
Rune served for the win in game ten and landed a thrilling forehand crosscourt winner for two match points. The young gun sealed the deal on the first with a service winner, moving over the top and falling to the ground.
Tennis World USA