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Holger Rune Triumphs at Shanghai Masters
Holger Rune staged a remarkable comeback against Matteo Berrettini to secure his place in the third round of the Shanghai Masters. The 12th-seeded Danish player demonstrated his resilience by overcoming the former Wimbledon finalist with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a match lasting just over two hours.
This encounter had been affected by weather conditions, as it was postponed from Saturday due to heavy rain at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. During the initial set, Berrettini broke Rune’s serve to go ahead 5-4, ultimately closing out the first set with confidence.
Although Berrettini seemed to be gaining momentum and appeared poised to finish the match, Rune raised his performance significantly. He capitalized on the 12th game of the first set to level the match, showcasing his determination.
The deciding set featured two pivotal games that highlighted both players’ skills. Rune managed to fend off a break point while serving to lead 1-0 and seized his third break point of the eighth game, taking the lead decisively.
Ultimately, Rune served out the match successfully, setting up a third-round clash against the 33rd seed, Jiri Lehecka. “I think [the match] was pretty good,” Rune reflected after the match. He acknowledged Berrettini’s performance in the first set and noted how he capitalized on every opportunity in the later sets. “It was a good match, honestly. I think the tennis was very high quality. We were hitting a lot of winners, good serves, and good movement, so I’m very happy to start my tournament like this.”
Fritz and Dimitrov Progress After Weather Delays
In other matches delayed by rain, seeded players Taylor Fritz and Grigor Dimitrov finally advanced to the next round after extended waits. Fritz, a recent US Open finalist, resumed his match against Frenchman Terence Atmane leading 4-3 in the first set when rain halted play on Saturday. The match remained suspended until Monday, with Fritz ultimately winning through two tight tie-breaks, finishing at 7-6, 7-6 in a match that lasted 122 minutes. Fritz will now face Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in the next round.
Dimitrov, celebrating his 100th appearance at an ATP Masters event, resumed play with a set lead against Zizou Bergs but was initially down in the second set. After conceding the second set, Dimitrov reasserted his dominance by breaking Bergs three times, winning the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. He is set to meet 20th seed Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
In a surprising turn, Italian 15th seed Lorenzo Musetti faced an unexpected exit at the hands of David Goffin, who rallied to win 1-6, 7-6, 6-2. Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe, the 13th seed, advanced comfortably by defeating Zhou Yi of China 6-2, 6-4, and will now play Roman Safiullin, who earned an upset victory over 23rd seed Alexander Bublik.
Wuhan Open Highlights
At the Wuhan Open, Brazilian ninth seed Beatriz Haddad-Maia secured a win over Madison Keys, overcoming her with a score of 7-6, 6-2. Haddad-Maia, who claimed her fourth career title last month, was efficient on break points, converting five out of eight opportunities while Keys converted three out of twelve in their 128-minute match.
Former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez showcased her determination by defeating 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider 6-7, 6-3, 6-3. Weather interruptions also affected matches in Wuhan, leading to suspensions on outside courts. The top eight seeds, which include Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, received first-round byes.
British player Katie Boulter is expected to begin her campaign against Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the upcoming Japan Open due to a back injury, a decision confirmed by the Japan Tennis Association. Osaka intends to participate in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo scheduled for later this month, marking her first home tournament since an abdominal injury kept her from playing last year.
Upcoming Tournaments in October
The tennis calendar continues with exciting events, including the Shanghai Masters (ATP 1000) running from October 2-13, the Wuhan Open (WTA 1000) from October 6-12, and the Japan Open, scheduled for October 14-20, among others.
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