Holger Rune has finally done it! The Danish star has booked his spot in the BNP Paribas Open final, marking his first Masters 1000 final since 2023. Rune stunned fifth seed Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4 in the semifinals, snapping a frustrating seven-match losing streak in tour semifinals.
Before the 2025 season began, many questioned whether this year would be a turning point for Rune. With his immense potential, he seemed to be lagging behind fellow young stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. But his performance in Indian Wells has proven that he’s back on track.
A Tactical Masterclass Against Medvedev
“It means everything,” Rune said after the match. “The job is not over yet, but it feels amazing. Playing Daniil is one of the toughest challenges on tour. We’ve practiced a lot together, and I knew I had the right tactics, but he still made it so difficult. I’m very proud of myself.”
Rune, seeded No. 12, had a rocky 2024 season, dipping as low as No. 17 in the ATP rankings. However, his gritty performance against Medvedev has put him back in the spotlight and within touching distance of the Top 10. The 21-year-old had mixed results earlier in 2025, showing promise at the Australian Open before struggling in other tournaments. But at Indian Wells, he’s been a force to be reckoned with.
His resurgence began with a hard-fought win over No. 18 seed Ugo Humbert, followed by a spectacular victory against No. 8 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, where he showcased a jaw-dropping tweener lob. He then secured a crucial first-ever win over Tallon Griekspoor, setting up a showdown with Medvedev, who had won their last two encounters—including at this very tournament in 2024.
Medvedev Falls Short
Medvedev entered the match searching for momentum after a challenging start to 2025. Despite a strong run in February, he lacked a signature win and had struggled in key moments. His emotional third-round victory over Arthur Fils was a highlight, but against Rune, he couldn’t find his rhythm when it mattered most.
Rune executed a well-planned strategy, varying his pace and staying patient against Medvedev’s relentless defense. “Many players miss too many shots against Daniil because he gets so many balls back, and it makes you want to hit harder and go for more,” Rune explained. “I’m super proud that I found the right rhythm, the right tempo, and stayed composed.”
The turning point came late in the first set, when Rune broke at 5-5 and held his nerve to close it out. An early break in the second set gave him the cushion he needed, and although Medvedev fought back, Rune held steady to claim victory in just under 100 minutes.
A Showdown Awaits
Rune’s journey isn’t over yet. Standing between him and the biggest title of his career could be defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who faces Jack Draper in the second semifinal. Rune’s only win over Alcaraz came back in 2022, but their most recent clash at Wimbledon 2023 saw the Spaniard dominate.
“No matter who I play tomorrow, I need to stay focused, composed, and relaxed so I can go for it,” Rune said.
With his confidence soaring, Rune is just one step away from his biggest triumph yet. Can he go all the way?
Leave a Reply