One of the tournament’s most electrifying moments unfolded in a way that might just claim this year’s shot of the year title. The excitement hit its peak as Rune faced two break points while serving at 4-3 in the second set.
Rune’s breathtaking shot was a game-changer, facilitating his triumph over Tsitsipas with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. This win marked Rune’s first-ever Top 10 victory on an outdoor hard court, a significant milestone considering he had previously gone 0-9 against top-tier opponents in such settings. By defeating the reigning Dubai champion, Tsitsipas, Rune is now carrying a perfect 4-0 track record against the Greek phenom.
At just 21, Rune has impressively made it to his ninth Masters 1000 quarterfinal. He has also made history as the first Scandinavian to reach back-to-back Indian Wells quarterfinals since Stefan Edberg, a Swedish legend and Hall of Famer, achieved the feat in 1994-95.
Looking ahead to the quarterfinals, the 12th-seeded Rune is set to face Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor. He’ll be aiming to secure his first win against Griekspoor, adding another chapter to his unfolding success story.
