Holger Rune of Denmark made a significant statement at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, by defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4 in the men’s singles semifinals on Saturday. The victory propels the 21-year-old Dane into his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Masters 1000 final since 2023.
Rune broke Medvedev’s serve in the fifth game of the first set, but the former World No. 1 responded immediately in the next game. Undeterred, Rune converted a crucial break point in the 11th game, taking a 6-5 lead before serving out the set to seize a 1-0 advantage in the match.
Carrying his momentum into the second set, Rune delivered a love game in the third to secure another break. Despite Medvedev’s attempts to claw back, Rune maintained his composure, denying a break point in the final game to clinch the match.
“It means everything,” Rune expressed after his victory. “The job is not over yet, but it feels amazing, for sure. Playing Daniil is, I think for me, one of the toughest challenges on tour. We know each other well, and we’ve practiced a lot, so it was super difficult. I obviously had the right tactic, but he still made it so difficult because he’s putting in great effort and great shots, just being super solid. I’m very proud of myself.”
In the final, Rune will face Britain’s Jack Draper, who pulled off a stunning upset against tournament favorite Carlos Alcaraz, defeating him 6-1, 0-6, 6-4. Draper ended the Spaniard’s bid for a rare “three-peat” in the California desert.
“It was a strange match,” Draper reflected. “Honestly, Carlos came out, he was a bit flat; I sensed that. Against top players in the world, they can change their momentum very quickly, so I just got lost out there for 25 minutes. And then in the third, I came out, I was really proud of my competitiveness, my attitude, and somehow managed to get over the line there in the end.”
The upcoming final promises an exciting clash between two rising stars, each seeking their first Masters 1000 title.
