Holger Rune upset World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas at the French Open on Monday night 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to become the first Danish man to reach the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam in the Open Era.
Competing in the fourth round at a major for the first time, the 19-year-old rose to the challenge on Court Philippe Chatrier, showcasing great variety by combining brutal ball striking with deft drop shots to shock the Greek in three hours.
“I have an unbelievable feeling right now,” Rune said in his on-court interview.
“I was so nervous at the end but the crowd was amazing for me the whole match, the whole tournament. I am so grateful and so happy to be playing on this court. You guys are amazing.”
For Tsitsipas, the loss would be especially disappointing after making the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2020 before losing last year’s final in five sets to Novak Djokovic.
Asked about the rise of youngsters such as Rune, Tsitsipas was reflective but also said it would make him hungrier.
“It has to come at some point, it comes for everyone right? I’m not worried, I know my game,” he said.
“These kids are going to want to beat me badly because they are chasing.
“I’m chasing too, but I am at a different position than they are. I’m hungry to beat them too and now that they have beat me I want payback.”
Rune will look to continue his dream run when he plays Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. The Norwegian defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to book his spot in the last eight at a Grand Slam for the first time.
