Novak Djokovic said he was impressed by Holger Rune’s fighting spirit and admitted that the Dane deserved the Paris Masters title. In the Paris final, Rune defeated Djokovic 3-6 6-3 7-5. After losing the first set, Rune faced three straight break points in the first game of the second set, but saved them to avoid going down an early break.
Rune then broke Djokovic in the second game and held serve for the rest of the set to send the match into a third set. In the third set, Djokovic claimed the first break in game four to open a 3-1 lead. Rune responded by breaking Djokovic in games five and eleven to reverse the deficit and complete a comeback victory.
In game 12 of the third set, Djokovic had a total of six break chances, but Rune saved them all and closed out the final. «What impressed me the most was his fighting spirit and composure of him. He had the week of his life, he deserved it.
I had so many opportunities. There were some of these moments where the parties chose a side. He was brave and I wasn’t active enough right now,» Djokovic said, according to Tennis Majors.
Djokovic: «What impressed me the most was his fighting spirit and his composure.
He had the week of his life, he deserved it. I had so many opportunities. There were some of these moments where the parties chose a side. It was brave and I wasn’t active enough at the time.» — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 6, 2022
Djokovic on the resemblance between Rune, Carlos Alcaraz
«Alcaraz and Rune are the same in terms of physicality, they defend very well, Rune has a better backhand and Alcaraz has a better forehand.
It’s not a big difference. They are very complete for 19-year-old players. Energy on the pitch. Impressive,» Djokovic explained.
Djokovic: «Alcaraz and Rune are the same in terms of physicality, they defend extremely well, Rune has a better backhand and Alcaraz has a better forehand.
It’s not a big difference. They are very complete for 19-year-old players. Energy on the pitch. Awesome…» #RolexParisMasters – Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 6, 2022
Meanwhile, Djokovic and Rune were facing each other for the second time.
Their first meeting came at the 2021 US Open, when Djokovic beat Rune in four sets. 14 months later, Djokovic and Rune met again but it was the Dane who ended up on the winning side. «Like I said yesterday, he reminds me back in time.
Backhand, dropshot, mixing things up. Since US Open 2021, his level of play is two or three levels higher,» Djokovic added.
Djokovic: «Like I said yesterday, he reminds me back in time. Backhand, dropshot, mixing things up…
Since the US Open 2021, his level of play two or three levels higher.» #RolexParisMasters – Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 6, 2022
